Trifle

/ˈtraɪfəl/

Meaning & Definition

noun

a thing of little value or importance.

He dismissed the matter as a mere trifle.

a dessert of sponge cake, fruit, and custard.

For dessert, we had a delightful trifle made with berries and cream.

verb

to treat (someone or something) without seriousness or respect.

You should not trifle with their emotions.

to waste time or behave frivolously.

Don’t trifle away your time; focus on your studies.

Middle English trifel, from Anglo-French trufle, from trufler to waste time.

trifle with

To treat something casually or without seriousness.

not to be trifled with

To be taken seriously or treated with respect.

a mere trifle

Something very small or insignificant.

trivial

Of little value or importance; insignificant.

trivially

In a trivial manner.

A minor issue or concern.

Don't sweat the trifles.

Something that is unimportant or not worth discussing.

Let's not waste time on trifles.