Nearby Words
Synonyms
adjective
1.
of very little importance or value; insignificant: Don't bother me with trivial matters.
2.
commonplace; ordinary.
3.
Biology. (of names of organisms) specific, as distinguished from generic.
4.
Mathematics.
a.
noting a solution of an equation in which the value of every variable of the equation is equal to zero.
b.
(of a theorem, proof, or the like) simple, transparent, or immediately evident.
5.
Chemistry. (of names of chemical compounds) derived from the natural source, or of historic origin, and not according to the systematic nomenclature: Picric acid is the trivial name of 2,4,6-trinitrophenol.
Origin:
1400–50; late Middle English < Latin triviālis belonging to the crossroads or street corner, hence commonplace, equivalent to tri- tri- + vi(a) road + -ālis -al1
1400–50; late Middle English < Latin triviālis belonging to the crossroads or street corner, hence commonplace, equivalent to tri- tri- + vi(a) road + -ālis -al1
Related forms
triv·i·al·ly, adverb
su·per·triv·i·al, adjective
un·triv·i·al, adjective
un·triv·i·al·ly, adverb
Synonyms
1. unimportant, nugatory, slight, immaterial, inconsequential, frivolous, trifling. See petty.
1. unimportant, nugatory, slight, immaterial, inconsequential, frivolous, trifling. See petty.
Antonyms
1. important.
1. important.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
|
Link To trivial
:10
:09
:08
:07
:06
:05
:04
:03
:02
:01
Trivial
is always a great word to know.
So is typical. Does it mean:
| the basic category of biological classification, composed of individuals that resemble one another are able to breed with one another |
| exemplifying most nearly the essential characteristics of a higher group in natural history, and forming the type |
Collins
World English Dictionary
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
trivial
early 15c., "of the trivium," from M.L. trivialis, from trivium "first three of the seven liberal arts," from L., lit. "place where three roads meet," from tri- "three" + via "road." The basic notion is of "that which may be found anywhere, commonplace, vulgar." The meaning "ordinary" (1580s) and "insignificant"
EXPAND(1590s) were in L. trivialis "commonplace, vulgar," originally "of or belonging to the crossroads." The verb trivialize is attested from 1846.
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Cite This Source
Word Dynamo By Dictionary.com
Dictionary.com, LLC. Copyright © 2012. All rights reserved.