trifling

American  

[trahy-fling] / ˈtraɪ flɪŋ /

adjective

1. of very little importance; trivial; insignificant.

   a trifling matter.

   Synonyms:

   inconsequential, slight, unimportant

   Antonyms:

   important

2. of small value, cost, or amount.

   a trifling sum.

   Synonyms:

   piddling, negligible

3. frivolous; shallow; light.

   trifling conversation.

4. mean; worthless.

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noun

1. idle or frivolous conduct, talk, etc.

2. foolish delay or waste of time.

trifling British  

/ ˈtraɪflɪŋ /

adjective

1. insignificant or petty

2. frivolous or idle

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Related Words

See petty.

Other Word Forms

• triflingly adverb
• triflingness noun
• untrifling adjective
• untriflingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of trifling

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; trifle, -ing ², -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Frankly, the more trifling the crime, the better this franchise’s comedy aspirations would work.

From Los Angeles Times

To state the obvious, the big picture is all this is trifling and academic because the government won by a million miles, with a majority of 120.

From BBC

“Whether the special counsel’s office was ‘established by Law’ is not a trifling technicality,” he wrote.

From Los Angeles Times

The arguments that advocates cited in a Jan. 8 story by my colleague, education reporter Howard Blume, are well-meaning but trifling.

From Los Angeles Times

"Nothing important can be accomplished if you allow yourself to be swayed by some trifling matter, always looking over your shoulder and wondering what others are saying or thinking."

From Reuters