trifling
Americanadjective
-
of very little importance; trivial; insignificant.
a trifling matter.
- Synonyms:
- inconsequential, slight, unimportant
- Antonyms:
- important
-
of small value, cost, or amount.
a trifling sum.
- Synonyms:
- piddling, negligible
-
frivolous; shallow; light.
trifling conversation.
-
mean; worthless.
noun
-
idle or frivolous conduct, talk, etc.
-
foolish delay or waste of time.
adjective
-
insignificant or petty
-
frivolous or idle
Synonym Usage
See petty.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of trifling
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; see trifle, -ing 2, -ing 1
Explanation
If something is trifling it's really unimportant, of no consequence — "a trifling detail." Everything is relative, of course, and what might appear trifling to one person may take on deep importance for another. Clues are classically trifling things. As Sherlock Holmes explains to Dr. Watson when faced with a seemingly minor detail: "It is, of course, a trifle, but there is nothing so important as trifles."
Vocabulary lists containing trifling
Life of Pi
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Fever 1793
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30 GRE Words Beginning with "T" "U" "V" and "W"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Trifling is not a word one likes to apply to lawmakers, but how else do you describe that kind of loutish behavior?
From Washington Post • Apr. 9, 2022
The water-drop wears out the stone; and cares Trifling, if ceaseless, form an aggregate, Whose burden weighs the buoyant heart to earth.
From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 62, Number 385. November, 1847. by Various
Trifling acts of her father are described at length in exaggerated terms, while little notice is taken of important constitutional matters.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 2 "Anjar" to "Apollo" by Various
Trifling as these circumstances were, they gave birth at the time to the most extravagant hopes, which filled me with a sort of ecstasy.
From Flora Lyndsay or, Passages in an Eventful Life Vol. II. by Moodie, Susanna
Trifling with my bread and cheese, I turned to the landlord.
From Ravensdene Court by Fletcher, J. S. (Joseph Smith)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
