trifling definition | Dictionary.com

Synonyms

negligible, niggling, nugatory, paltry, picayune, piddling, small, small-minded, banal, frivolous, idle, immaterial

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trifling - 6 dictionary results

tri⋅fling

[trahy-fling]

–adjective

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

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

3.	frivolous; shallow; light: trifling conversation.

4.	mean; worthless.

–noun

5.	idle or frivolous conduct, talk, etc.

6.	foolish delay or waste of time.

Origin:
1350–1400; ME; see trifle, -ing ² , -ing ¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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Language Translation for : trifling

Spanish:

insignificante, nimio, de poca monta,

German:

unbedeutend,

Japanese:

ささいな

View 29 other languages »

tri⋅fle

[trahy-fuh

noun, verb, -fled, -fling.

–noun

1.	an article or thing of very little value.

2.	a matter, affair, or circumstance of trivial importance or significance.

3.	a small, inconsiderable, or trifling sum of money.

4.	a small quantity or amount of anything; a little: She's still a trifle angry.

5.	a literary, musical, or artistic work of a light or trivial character having no great or lasting merit; bagatelle.

6.	a kind of pewter of medium hardness.

7.	trifles, articles made of this.

8.	English Cookery. a dessert usually consisting of custard and cake soaked in wine or liqueur, and jam, fruit, or the like.

–verb (used without object)

9.	to deal lightly or without due seriousness or respect: Don't trifle with me!

10.	to play or toy by handling or fingering: He sat trifling with a pen.

11.	to act or talk in an idle or frivolous way.

12.	to pass time idly or frivolously; waste time; idle.

–verb (used with object)

13.	to pass or spend (time) idly or frivolously (usually fol. by away).

Origin:
1175–1225; (n.) ME tru(f)fle idle talk, deceit < OF, var. of truf(f)e mockery, deceit; (v.) ME treoflen to mock < OF trufler to make sport of

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Cite This Source

tri·fle (trī'fəl) Pronunciation Key
n.

Something of little importance or value.
A small amount; a jot.
A dessert typically consisting of plain or sponge cake soaked in sherry, rum, or brandy and topped with layers of jam or jelly, custard, and whipped cream.
1. A moderately hard variety of pewter.
2. trifles Utensils made from this variety of pewter.

v. tri·fled, tri·fling, tri·fles

v. intr.

To deal with something as if it were of little significance or value.
To act, perform, or speak with little seriousness or purpose; jest.
To play or toy with something: Don't trifle with my affections. See Synonyms at flirt.

v. tr.
To waste (time or money, for example).

[Middle English trufle, trifle, from Old French trufle, mockery, diminutive of truffe, deception.]
tri'fler (trī'flər) n.

tri·fling (trī'flĭng) Pronunciation Key
adj.

Of slight worth or importance. See Synonyms at trivial.
Frivolous or idle.

tri'fling·ly adv.

trifling
adjective
1.	not worth considering; "he considered the prize too paltry for the lives it must cost"; "piffling efforts"; "a trifling matter" [syn: negligible]
noun
1.	the deliberate act of delaying and playing instead of working [syn: dalliance]

Trifling

Tri"fling\, a. Being of small value or importance; trivial; paltry; as, a trifling debt; a trifling affair. -- Tri"fling*ly, adv. -- Tri"fling*ness, n.

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