Trifling: meaning, definitions and examples

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trifling

 

[ ˈtraɪflɪŋ ]

Adjective / Noun
Context #1 | Adjective

insignificant matter

Trifling refers to something that is of little value or importance. It describes matters that are trivial or minor, often not worth considering seriously. In conversations, it may imply that one should not waste time on unimportant details. People might use this term to dismiss a worry or concern as being overly inconsequential.

Synonyms

insignificant, minor, petty, trivial

Examples of usage

  • She offered him a trifling sum of money.
  • They spent their time on trifling matters rather than focusing on the main issue.
  • His comments seemed trifling in the grand scheme of things.
Context #2 | Noun

unimportant things

As a noun, trifling refers to unimportant or trivial things. It often encompasses matters that do not merit serious attention. This usage can denote an attitude towards certain tasks or conversations, suggesting they lack seriousness or gravitas. In essence, trifling in this sense highlights the notion of futility or irrelevance.

Synonyms

frivolity, nonsense, trivia

Examples of usage

  • He was tired of the trifling that filled their discussions.
  • The report was filled with trifling information.
  • Let's not get bogged down in trifling details.

Translations

Translations of the word "trifling" in other languages:

🇵🇹 insignificante

🇮🇳 तुच्छ

🇩🇪 einfältig

🇮🇩 sepele

🇺🇦 незначний

🇵🇱 błahy

🇯🇵 些細な

🇫🇷 insignifiant

🇪🇸 insignificante

🇹🇷 önemsiz

🇰🇷 하찮은

🇸🇦 تافه

🇨🇿 nepatrný

🇸🇰 nepatrný

🇨🇳 微不足道的

🇸🇮 malenkosten

🇮🇸 lítil

🇰🇿 маңызы жоқ

🇬🇪 ნაკლებმნიშვნელოვანი

🇦🇿 kiçik

🇲🇽 insignificante

Etymology

The word 'trifling' originates from the Middle English term 'trifil', which is derived from the Old French 'trifler', meaning to spend time idly or to waste time. This term is linked to the idea of trifles, which denotes objects of little significance. The evolution of 'trifling' reflects a broader cultural shift towards valuing efficiency and seriousness in communication and action. Over time, its use has expanded beyond mere objects to describe actions, concerns, or discussions that are deemed inconsequential. As language evolves, 'trifling' serves as a linguistic marker for matters we choose to regard as less worthy of our time or attention.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,116, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.