trifling

[ trahy-fling ]
/ ˈtraɪ flɪŋ /

adjective

of very little importance; trivial; insignificant: a trifling matter.
of small value, cost, or amount: a trifling sum.
frivolous; shallow; light: trifling conversation.
mean; worthless.

noun

idle or frivolous conduct, talk, etc.
foolish delay or waste of time.

Origin of trifling

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at trifle, -ing2, -ing1

SYNONYMS FOR trifling

2 negligible, piddling.

OTHER WORDS FROM trifling

tri·fling·ly, adverb tri·fling·ness, noun un·tri·fling, adjective un·tri·fling·ly, adverb

Definition for trifling (2 of 2)

trifle
[ trahy-fuhl ]
/ ˈtraɪ fəl /

noun

verb (used without object), tri·fled, tri·fling.

verb (used with object), tri·fled, tri·fling.

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

Origin of trifle

1175–1225; (noun) Middle English tru( f) fle idle talk, deceit < Old French, variant of truf( f) e mockery, deceit; (v.) Middle English treoflen to mock < Old French trufler to make sport of

OTHER WORDS FROM trifle

tri·fler, noun

Example sentences from the Web for trifling

British Dictionary definitions for trifling (1 of 2)

trifling
/ (ˈtraɪflɪŋ) /

adjective

insignificant or petty
frivolous or idle

Derived forms of trifling

triflingly, adverb triflingness, noun

British Dictionary definitions for trifling (2 of 2)

trifle
/ (ˈtraɪfəl) /

noun

verb

(intr usually foll by with) to deal (with) as if worthless; dally to trifle with a person's affections
to waste (time) frivolously

Derived forms of trifle

trifler, noun

Word Origin for trifle

C13: from Old French trufle mockery, from trufler to cheat