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 Englishtru(f)fle idle talk, deceit < Old French, variant of truf(f)e mockery, deceit; (v.) Middle Englishtreoflen to mock < Old Frenchtrufler to make sport of
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.
trifle
v.
"treat lightly," 1520s, from trifle (n.). Related: Trifled; trifling.
