trifle

American  

[trahy-fuhl] / ˈtraɪ fəl /

noun

1. an article or thing of very little value.

   Synonyms:

   toy , bauble

2. a matter, affair, or circumstance of trivial importance or significance.

3. a small, inconsiderable, or trifling sum of money.

4. a small quantity or amount of anything; a little.

   She's still a trifle angry.

5. a literary, musical, or artistic work of a light or trivial character having no great or lasting merit; bagatelle.

6. a kind of pewter of medium hardness.

7. trifles, articles made of this.

8. English Cooking.  a dessert usually consisting of custard and cake soaked in wine or liqueur, and jam, fruit, or the like.

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verb (used without object)

trifled, trifling

1. to deal lightly or without due seriousness or respect.

   Don't trifle with me!

2. to play or toy by handling or fingering.

   He sat trifling with a pen.

3. to act or talk in an idle or frivolous way.

4. to pass time idly or frivolously; waste time; idle.

verb (used with object)

trifled, trifling

1. to pass or spend (time) idly or frivolously (usually followed byaway ).

   Synonyms:

   fritter

trifle British  

/ ˈtraɪfəl /

noun

1. a thing of little or no value or significance

2. a small amount; bit

   a trifle more enthusiasm

3. a cold dessert made with sponge cake spread with jam or fruit, soaked in wine or sherry, covered with a custard sauce and cream, and decorated

4. a type of pewter of medium hardness

5. articles made from this pewter

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verb

1. to deal (with) as if worthless; dally

   to trifle with a person's affections

2. to waste (time) frivolously

Other Word Forms

• trifler noun

Etymology

Origin of trifle

1175–1225; (noun) Middle English tru ( f ) fle idle talk, deceit < Old French, variant of truf ( f ) e mockery, deceit; (v.) Middle English treoflen to mock < Old French trufler to make sport of

Example Sentences

Enter the trifle, a dessert that doesn’t get nearly enough credit for its multipurpose holiday charm.

From Salon

Rachel attempts to help with the cooking, creating a trifle that includes custard, jam, beef and peas.

From Los Angeles Times

A noisy trifle for the end of summer.

From Seattle Times

This powerful wave is not to be trifled with, and in the event of an emergency, the staff can turn it off instantly.

From Seattle Times

He carried a gift with him and not your run-of-the-mill gift, not a little trifle you tuck into your carry-on.

From Scientific American