trifling: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal or literary; often used in written contexts.
Quick answer
What does “trifling” mean?
Of little value or importance.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Of little value or importance; trivial.
Referring to something that is small in amount or degree, often used to dismiss concerns as unimportant or to describe minor details.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning; used similarly in both varieties.
Connotations
Both imply insignificance or triviality, often with a dismissive tone.
Frequency
Slightly more common in British English, but well-understood and used in American English.
Grammar
How to Use “trifling” in a Sentence
consider [noun] triflingdismiss [noun] as triflingregard [noun] as triflingVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “trifling” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He is always trifling with his tools instead of working.
- They were trifling over the menu for far too long.
American English
- She trifled with the idea but never took action.
- He's just trifling around, not getting anything done.
adverb
British English
- He spoke triflingly of the incident, downplaying its importance.
- She dismissed the criticism triflingly.
American English
- They treated the warning triflingly, which led to problems.
- He answered triflingly, not taking the question seriously.
adjective
British English
- It was a trifling error that didn't affect the outcome.
- The cost is trifling, so we can proceed.
American English
- The difference in time is trifling and won't matter.
- Her objections were considered trifling and ignored.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to describe insignificant expenses or minor details in reports.
Academic
Refers to minor points in arguments or trivial aspects in research.
Everyday
Common in advice to avoid worrying about small, unimportant things.
Technical
Rarely used in technical contexts; more general in application.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “trifling”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “trifling”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “trifling”
- Using 'trifling' as a noun (e.g., 'a trifling' instead of 'a trifle').
- Confusing it with 'trifle' which can be a noun meaning a small thing or a dessert.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is often used in formal or literary contexts to describe something trivial or unimportant.
Yes, as the present participle of 'trifle', meaning to treat something without seriousness or to play with it idly.
Common synonyms include trivial, insignificant, negligible, and paltry, depending on the context.
It is pronounced /ˈtraɪflɪŋ/ in both British and American English, with no significant variation.
Of little value or importance.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “not a trifling matter”
- “trifling away time”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'trifle' as a small dessert; 'trifling' means small in importance, like a trifle.
Conceptual Metaphor
UNIMPORTANT IS SMALL / TRIVIAL
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes the meaning of 'trifling'?