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definitions

trifling

[trahy-fling]
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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.

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RELATED WORDS

idling, petty, dinky, slight, shallow, niggling, hollow, piddling, idle, silly, small, minuscule, empty, loitering, banal, frivolous, inane, inconsequential, insipid, jejune

Nearby words

  1. trifecta,
  2. triffid,
  3. trifid,
  4. trifid foot,
  5. trifle,
  6. triflingly,
  7. trifluoperazine,
  8. trifluoride,
  9. trifluorochloromethane,
  10. 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.
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR trifling ON THESAURUS.COM
ANTONYMS FOR trifling
1. important.
SEE MORE ANTONYMS FOR trifling ON THESAURUS.COM
Related formstri·fling·ly, adverbtri·fling·ness, nounun·tri·fling, adjectiveun·tri·fling·ly, adverb

trifle

[trahy-fuhl]

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
Related formstri·fler, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for trifling

British Dictionary definitions for trifling

trifling

adjective

insignificant or petty
frivolous or idle
Derived Formstriflingly, adverbtriflingness, noun

trifle

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
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper