bagatelle
something of little value or importance; a trifle: "A mere bagatelle," she murmured in response to my admiration of her ring.
a game played on a board having holes at one end into which balls are to be struck with a cue.
a short and light musical composition, typically for the piano.
Origin of bagatelle
1Words Nearby bagatelle
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use bagatelle in a sentence
After all, in the face of death, financial ruin seemed a mere bagatelle.
Hidden Gold | Wilder AnthonyMy object in going to the Crimea was to speculate in munitions of war, which I supposed would be sold for a mere bagatelle.
My Life in Many States and in Foreign Lands | George Francis TrainLise left her abruptly, darting down a street that led to a back entrance of the bagatelle, and Janet pursued her way.
The Dwelling Place of Light, Complete | Winston ChurchillIt is scarcely too much to say that his ostentatious preference for the bagatelle was a real, and not in the least affected fact.
The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman | Laurence Sterne"Those bagatelle diatribes about Hegelism," etc., are not reprinted in this book, not a single syllable of them!
The Letters of William James, Vol. 1 | William James
British Dictionary definitions for bagatelle
/ (ˌbæɡəˈtɛl) /
something of little value or significance; trifle
a board game in which balls are struck into holes, with pins as obstacles; pinball
another name for bar billiards
a short light piece of music, esp for piano
Origin of bagatelle
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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