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0 English - Monolingual Dictionary

Trifle

ˈtraɪfəl
Common
~ 4000
~ 4000, Common
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
a thing of little value or importance, a small amount or quantity, a cold dessert typically consisting of layers of sponge cake, fruit, and custard

Trifle - Meanings

a thing of little value or importance

Example: She dismissed his apology as a trifle and moved on.
Usage: formalContext: professional settings, academic writing
Note: Often used to downplay the significance of something

a small amount or quantity

Example: Could you please add a trifle more salt to the soup?
Usage: formal/informalContext: cooking, recipes, everyday conversations
Note: Commonly used in culinary contexts to indicate a small quantity

a cold dessert typically consisting of layers of sponge cake, fruit, and custard

Example: She made a delicious trifle for the party.
Usage: informalContext: food, social gatherings
Note: Refers to a specific type of dessert popular in British cuisine

Trifle's synonyms

trivial

Trivial means of little value or importance, insignificant.
Example: The issue at hand is rather trivial and does not require immediate attention.
Note: Trivial emphasizes the lack of significance or importance, while trifle can also imply something of little value but may be used in a more playful or casual manner.

petty

Petty refers to something of minor importance or small-mindedness.
Example: She was upset over a petty argument that could have easily been resolved.
Note: Petty often conveys a sense of being unimportant due to its small scale or insignificance, similar to trifle but with a slightly negative connotation.

insignificant

Insignificant means not important or noteworthy.
Example: The error in the report was insignificant and did not impact the overall findings.
Note: Insignificant implies a lack of importance or consequence, similar to trifle in the sense of being unimportant.

Trifle expressions, common phrases

Make a mountain out of a molehill

Exaggerating or overreacting to something relatively unimportant.
Example: She always makes a mountain out of a molehill when it comes to minor issues.
Note: The original word 'trifle' refers to something of little value or importance, while this idiom emphasizes blowing a small issue out of proportion.

Not worth a trifling

Not worth the minimal effort or consideration.
Example: The effort put into fixing that old car is not worth a trifling.
Note: While 'trifle' denotes something insignificant, this phrase emphasizes that it is not even worth a small amount of effort or consideration.

Play the fool

Behave in a silly or foolish manner for amusement or as a joke.
Example: He likes to play the fool at parties to entertain others.
Note: This phrase implies intentionally acting foolishly for entertainment, whereas 'trifle' refers to something of little consequence.

Trifling matter

Something of little importance or significance.
Example: Don't worry about such trifling matters; focus on the bigger picture.
Note: This phrase directly relates to the original word 'trifle,' emphasizing the insignificance of the matter at hand.

Trifle with

To treat something or someone without seriousness or respect.
Example: You shouldn't trifle with people's emotions like that.
Note: While 'trifle' generally refers to something unimportant, 'trifle with' adds the element of not taking it seriously or disrespecting it.

A mere trifle

Something that is considered insignificant or easily dismissed.
Example: For someone as wealthy as him, a hundred dollars is just a mere trifle.
Note: Similar to 'trifling matter,' this phrase underlines the insignificance of the described object or amount.

Trifles make perfection

Small details or elements are essential to achieving perfection.
Example: Remember, trifles make perfection, but perfection is no trifle.
Note: Contrasting the word 'trifle,' this phrase highlights the importance of paying attention to small details in the pursuit of perfection.

Trifle everyday (slang) expressions

Small potatoes

This slang means something insignificant or unimportant.
Example: Don't worry about those small potatoes, focus on the big picture.
Note: While 'trifle' refers to something of little value or importance, 'small potatoes' emphasizes the insignificance even more.

Peanuts

Refers to a very small amount of money or something that is very cheap.
Example: They offered me peanuts for the work, it's not worth it.
Note: Similar to 'trifle,' but 'peanuts' specifically refers to the monetary value being very low.

Chump change

Means a small or insignificant amount of money.
Example: I'm not going to do all that work for chump change.
Note: Like 'trifle,' it denotes being of little value, but 'chump change' focuses on the financial aspect.

Drop in the bucket

Something that is small or unimportant compared to the overall issue or goal.
Example: Your donation is just a drop in the bucket compared to what's needed.
Note: While 'trifle' also indicates something insignificant, 'drop in the bucket' emphasizes the disparity in scale.

Chicken feed

Refers to a very small amount of money or wages that are inadequate.
Example: I won't work for chicken feed, I deserve better pay.
Note: 'Chicken feed' specifically emphasizes low monetary value, whereas 'trifle' generally denotes something of little importance or value.

Peanut gallery

Refers to a group of people who offer unsolicited opinions or comments, usually considered unimportant or irrelevant.
Example: Ignore the comments from the peanut gallery and focus on the task at hand.
Note: While 'trifle' can refer to various things of little value, 'peanut gallery' specifically relates to people offering trivial opinions.

Nickel-and-dime

Refers to small or trivial expenses that accumulate over time.
Example: I'm tired of nickel-and-dime expenses adding up, I need to budget better.
Note: 'Nickel-and-dime' focuses on accumulating small expenses, unlike 'trifle' which can refer to any insignificant matter.

Trifle - Examples

The mistake was just a trifle, it didn't really matter.
She dismissed his concerns as a mere trifle.
Don't worry about the trifle details, just focus on the big picture.

Trifle grammar

Trifle - Verb (Verb) / Verb, base form (Verb, base form)
Lemma: trifle
Conjugations
Noun, plural (Noun, plural): trifles, trifle
Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass): trifle
Verb, past tense (Verb, past tense): trifled
Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle): trifling
Verb, 3rd person singular present (Verb, 3rd person singular present): trifles
Verb, base form (Verb, base form): trifle
Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present): trifle
Syllabification and Stress
trifle Contains 2 syllables: tri • fle
Phonetic transcription: ˈtrī-fəl
tri fle , ˈtrī fəl (The red syllable is stressed)

Trifle - Importance and usage frequency

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.
trifle: ~ 4000 (Common).
This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
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