trifle
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.
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.
to pass or spend (time) idly or frivolously (usually followed by away).
Origin of trifle
1Other words for trifle
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
Many of these triflers had, it is true, exhibited for a time some leaning toward the reformed faith.
History of the Rise of the Huguenots | Henry BairdIf doing small things well be trifling, then the French are triflers.
But to gain one friend such as I could name, more than repaid a legion of such insipid triflers and ignorant puppies.
Private Papers of William Wilberforce | William WilberforceBut this minority was denounced by the orthodox as innovators and triflers.
History of the Jews, Vol. V (of 6) | Heinrich GraetzAt this Govier gave a shrug of his ox-like shoulders, and waved away all such sorry triflers.
Thomas Hardy's Dorset | Robert Thurston Hopkins
British Dictionary definitions for trifle
/ (ˈtraɪfəl) /
a thing of little or no value or significance
a small amount; bit: a 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
(intr usually foll by with) to deal (with) as if worthless; dally: to trifle with a person's affections
to waste (time) frivolously
Origin of trifle
1Derived forms of trifle
- trifler, noun
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
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