Piddling: meaning, definitions and examples

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piddling

 

[ ˈpɪd.lɪŋ ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

trivial matters

The term 'piddling' is often used to describe something that is insignificant or trivial. It refers to matters that are considered unimportant or of little value. This word is often used in a derogatory manner to downplay the significance of an activity or object. People might use 'piddling' when they want to express disdain for something overly trivial or when they believe their time could be better spent. Overall, it conveys a sense of disdain towards the subject it describes.

Synonyms

insignificant, minor, petty, trivial.

Examples of usage

  • He spent his afternoon on piddling tasks.
  • Stop wasting time on those piddling details.
  • The piddling issues should not distract us from the main goal.

Translations

Translations of the word "piddling" in other languages:

🇵🇹 insignificante

🇮🇳 निरर्थक

🇩🇪 unbedeutend

🇮🇩 remeh

🇺🇦 незначний

🇵🇱 bez znaczenia

🇯🇵 取るに足らない

🇫🇷 insignifiant

🇪🇸 insignificante

🇹🇷 önemsiz

🇰🇷 하찮은

🇸🇦 تافه

🇨🇿 nepatrný

🇸🇰 nepodstatný

🇨🇳 微不足道

🇸🇮 nepomemben

🇮🇸 ómerkilegur

🇰🇿 маңызды емес

🇬🇪 არასერიოზული

🇦🇿 əhəmiyyətsiz

🇲🇽 insignificante

Etymology

The word 'piddling' has its origins in the early 19th century and is thought to derive from the term 'piddle', which means to waste time or engage in trivial activities. 'Piddle' itself may have connections to various dialects or colloquial usages that express idleness or pointlessness. As the language evolved, 'piddling' emerged as an adjective to describe actions, tasks, or issues that lacked seriousness or significance. Its informal nature implies a casual approach to discussions around trivial matters, and it remains a part of contemporary colloquial English, often used to critique or belittle the importance of certain pursuits or concerns.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #37,356, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.