trifle

[ trahy-fuhl ]

/ ˈtraɪ fəl /

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See synonyms for: trifle / trifled / trifles / trifling on Thesaurus.com

noun

an article or thing of very little value.

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

a small, inconsiderable, or trifling sum of money.

a small quantity or amount of anything; a little: She's still a trifle angry.

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

a kind of pewter of medium hardness.

trifles, articles made of this.

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

verb (used without object), tri·fled, tri·fling.

to deal lightly or without due seriousness or respect: Don't trifle with me!

to play or toy by handling or fingering: He sat trifling with a pen.

to act or talk in an idle or frivolous way.

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

verb (used with object), tri·fled, tri·fling.

to pass or spend (time) idly or frivolously (usually followed by away).

OTHER WORDS FOR trifle

1 bauble, toy.

13 fritter.

See synonyms for trifle on Thesaurus.com

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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

OTHER WORDS FROM trifle

trifler, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use trifle in a sentence

And a sharp chicken beak is nothing to be trifled with either.
What Did TJ Mean By “Pursuit of Happiness,” Anyway?|P. J. O’Rourke|June 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He was sure they must have 'trifled' a great deal, or they would have accomplished more than they had.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
"You must be more concise," said Miss Barrington; quietly, and Dane trifled with the hat in his hand.
Winston of the Prairie|Harold Bindloss
On the most ample scrutiny, I repose, when I say, that the Doctor had never trifled with this sincere love.
Papers from Overlook-House|Casper Almore

And another important class of agriculturists, the beetroot growers and sugar-producers, were not to be trifled with either.
Great Men and Famous Women. Vol. 4 of 8|Various
Duffham examined the throat; and told Hyde, for his consolation, that it was not in a state to be trifled with.
Johnny Ludlow, Fourth Series|Mrs. Henry Wood

British Dictionary definitions for trifle

trifle

/ (ˈtraɪfəl) /

noun

a thing of little or no value or significance

a small amount; bita trifle more enthusiasm

British 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

a type of pewter of medium hardness

articles made from this pewter

verb

(intr usually foll by with) to deal (with) as if worthless; dallyto trifle with a person's affections

to waste (time) frivolously

Derived forms of trifle

trifler, noun

Word Origin for trifle

C13: from Old French trufle mockery, from trufler to cheat

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

trifle

OTHER WORDS FOR trifle

Origin of trifle

OTHER WORDS FROM trifle

Words related to trifle

How to use trifle in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for trifle

Derived forms of trifle

Word Origin for trifle