piffling

[pif-ling]

adjective

1. of little worth; trifling; piddling.

   piffling efforts.

piffling

/ ˈpɪflɪŋ /

adjective

1. worthless, trivial

Word History and Origins

Origin of piffling¹

First recorded in 1890–95; piffle + -ing ²

Example Sentences

Brexiteers often summon the memory of Britain’s wartime resilience to indicate that we have what it takes to survive a piffling showdown with the E.U.

Read more on The New Yorker

His method, exemplified in Memphis, is to highlight an emotive crime, then deploy outrage as a dragnet to sweep up piffling, often nonviolent criminals.

Read more on Economist

The piffling toad steps away from her and says, “Non capisco! Ha!”

Read more on Literature

Though it's a piffling amount for most people, will the charge make any difference to our bag use behaviour?

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In 2012, it dismissed claims that the comet Elenin was on its way to destroy mankind, calling it a “trail of piffling particles”.

Read more on The Guardian