trifling

[ trahy-fling ]

adjective

1. of very little importance; trivial; insignificant:

   a trifling matter.

   Synonyms: unimportant, inconsequential, slight

   Antonyms: important

2. of small value, cost, or amount:

   a trifling sum.

   Synonyms: piddling, negligible

3. frivolous; shallow; light:

   trifling conversation.

4. mean; worthless.

noun

1. idle or frivolous conduct, talk, etc.
2. foolish delay or waste of time.

trifling

/ ˈtraɪflɪŋ /

adjective

1. insignificant or petty
2. frivolous or idle

Derived Forms

• ˈtriflingness, noun
• ˈtriflingly, adverb

Other Words From

• trifling·ly adverb
• trifling·ness noun
• un·trifling adjective
• un·trifling·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of trifling¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; trifle, -ing ², -ing ¹

Synonym Study

See petty.

Example Sentences

Others are afraid to lose staff, not a trifling concern considering that frontline workers in the retail and service industries had been leaving jobs at record rates this spring—and lower-income Americans are also most likely to be vaccine-hesitant.

From Quartz

Revamping thousands of miles of highway with high-tech charging equipment is obviously no trifling matter, though, and so far progress has been slow.

From Singularity Hub 

What's the point of tacking on some trifling symbolic punishment to their deep anguish?

From The Daily Beast

The Flagstaff fire, though a trifling 300 acres, threatened Boulder and activated a top-level fire team.

From The Daily Beast

Around the globe, people are barely coping, politicians are ignoring them, and the media are trifling with them.

From The Daily Beast

I follow F. mainly, and note all but very trifling variations from it.

From Project Gutenberg

Then, in heaven's name, do not put such a noble creature as Doa Inez on a level with a mere little trifling coquette.

From Project Gutenberg

But all these inconveniences are comparatively trifling; the greatest amount of annoyance begins towards the end of the voyage.

From Project Gutenberg

The Violin is an instrument which, though small and of trifling original cost, has yet commanded most extraordinary prices.

From Project Gutenberg

He was occupied with one trifling account for half the day, and did not finish it at last.

From Project Gutenberg