trifling

[ trahy-fling ]

/ ˈtraɪ flɪŋ /

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adjective

of very little importance; trivial; insignificant: a trifling matter.

of small value, cost, or amount: a trifling sum.

frivolous; shallow; light: trifling conversation.

mean; worthless.

noun

idle or frivolous conduct, talk, etc.

foolish delay or waste of time.

Nearby words

trifecta, triffid, trifid, trifid foot, trifle, trifling, triflingly, trifluoperazine, trifluoride, trifluorochloromethane, trifluralin

Origin of trifling

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at trifle, -ing², -ing¹

SYNONYMS FOR trifling

1 unimportant, slight, inconsequential. See petty.

2 negligible, piddling.

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ANTONYMS FOR trifling

1 important.

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Related formstri·fling·ly, adverbtri·fling·ness, nounun·tri·fling, adjectiveun·tri·fling·ly, adverb

Definition for trifling (2 of 2)

trifle

[ trahy-fuhl ]

/ ˈtraɪ fəl /

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).

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

SYNONYMS FOR trifle

1 bauble, toy.

13 fritter.

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Related formstri·fler, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for trifling

What's the point of tacking on some trifling symbolic punishment to their deep anguish?
Some Things Are Beyond Punishment|Megan McArdle|June 25, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The Flagstaff fire, though a trifling 300 acres, threatened Boulder and activated a top-level fire team.
Colorado Blazes Remind Us That National Policy on Fire Needs a Fix|Stephen J. Pyne|June 29, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Around the globe, people are barely coping, politicians are ignoring them, and the media are trifling with them.
Leslie H. Gelb on a World in Crisis—and What Obama Should Do|Leslie H. Gelb|December 14, 2011|DAILY BEAST
While we are in this place, where Iyyasŭ's name is so important, let me cite a trifling anecdote.
An Artist's Letters From Japan|John La Farge

With the weight of a world on His arm, was He to have His hands free for such a trifling attention as this?
The Expositor's Bible: The Gospel of St John, Vol. II|Marcus Dods
The most trifling incident of those happy days delight me, for no other reason than being of those days.
The Confessions of J. J. Rousseau, Complete|Jean Jacques Rousseau
He himself asserts early contacts, and thinks their influence upon Greece but trifling.
Problems in Greek history|John Pentland Mahaffy
The Indian Government affected to treat this new Punjaub war as a trifling revolt.
Sir Charles Napier|Sir William Francis Butler

British Dictionary definitions for trifling (1 of 2)

trifling

/ (ˈtraɪflɪŋ) /

adjective

insignificant or petty

frivolous or idle

Derived Formstriflingly, adverbtriflingness, noun

British Dictionary definitions for trifling (2 of 2)

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 Formstrifler, 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

Word Origin and History for trifling (1 of 2)

trifle

early 13c., trufle "false or idle tale," later "matter of little importance" (late 13c.), from Old French trufle "mockery," diminutive of truffe "deception," of uncertain origin.

Word Origin and History for trifling (1 of 2)

trifle

"treat lightly," 1520s, from trifle (n.). Related: Trifled; trifling.

trifling

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noun

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of trifling

Definition for.css-ylq2vz{color:#1a1a1a;} trifling (2 of 2)

trifle

noun

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

Origin of trifle

Examples from the Web for trifling

British Dictionary definitions for trifling (1 of 2)

trifling

adjective

British Dictionary definitions for trifling (2 of 2)

trifle

noun

verb

Word Origin for trifle

Word Origin and History for trifling (1 of 2)

trifle

Word Origin and History for trifling (1 of 2)

trifle

adjective

Definition for trifling (2 of 2)