trifling

[ trahy-fling ]

/ ˈtraɪ flɪŋ /

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See synonyms for: trifling / triflings on Thesaurus.com

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.

OTHER WORDS FOR trifling

1 unimportant, slight, inconsequential.

2 negligible, piddling.

See synonyms for trifling on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR trifling

1 important.

See antonyms for trifling on Thesaurus.com

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of trifling

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

synonym study for trifling

1. See petty.

OTHER WORDS FROM trifling

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

Words nearby trifling

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

How to use trifling in a sentence

Others are afraid to lose staff, not a trifling concern considering that frontline workers in the retail and service industries had been leaving jobs at record rates this spring—and lower-income Americans are also most likely to be vaccine-hesitant.
Nearly 4 in 10 US workers say they may quit if their employer doesn’t mandate vaccines|Lila MacLellan|August 10, 2021|Quartz
Revamping thousands of miles of highway with high-tech charging equipment is obviously no trifling matter, though, and so far progress has been slow.
Magnetizable Concrete in Roads Could Charge Electric Cars While You Drive|Edd Gent|August 9, 2021|Singularity Hub
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
I follow F. mainly, and note all but very trifling variations from it.
Chaucer's Works, Volume 1 (of 7) -- Romaunt of the Rose; Minor Poems|Geoffrey Chaucer
Then, in heaven's name, do not put such a noble creature as Doa Inez on a level with a mere little trifling coquette.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 60, No. 372, October 1846|Various
But all these inconveniences are comparatively trifling; the greatest amount of annoyance begins towards the end of the voyage.
A Woman's Journey Round the World|Ida Pfeiffer
The Violin is an instrument which, though small and of trifling original cost, has yet commanded most extraordinary prices.
Violins and Violin Makers|Joseph Pearce
He was occupied with one trifling account for half the day, and did not finish it at last.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various

British Dictionary definitions for trifling

trifling

/ (ˈtraɪflɪŋ) /

adjective

insignificant or petty

frivolous or idle

Derived forms of trifling

triflingly, adverbtriflingness, 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

trifling

OTHER WORDS FOR trifling

OPPOSITES FOR trifling

Origin of trifling

synonym study for trifling

OTHER WORDS FROM trifling

Words nearby trifling

Words related to trifling

How to use trifling in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for trifling

Derived forms of trifling