Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Of little value, importance, or significance; trivial, insignificant. Describes something so small or minor that it is not worth serious attention or consideration.

2. Noun:

   • The act of wasting time or dawdling; frivolous behavior or delay. Refers to the deliberate action of engaging in unimportant matters instead of focusing on serious work.

Usage and Examples

• Adjective:

  • The cost of repairs was a trifling amount compared to the value of the car.
  • Don't worry about such a trifling detail; it doesn't affect the overall result.
  • She dismissed his comment as a trifling remark.

• Noun:

  • His constant trifling is the reason the project is behind schedule.
  • Enough trifling! We need to get down to business immediately.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• The adjective often carries a dismissive or contemptuous tone, minimizing the importance of the subject.
  • The court found the evidence against him to be trifling and insufficient for a conviction.
• As a noun, it is a formal or literary way to describe procrastination or frivolity.
  • The afternoon was spent in idle trifling.

Variants and Related Words

• Trifle (verb): To treat something as unimportant; to toy or fiddle with something.
  • He tends to trifle with other people's feelings.
• Trifle (noun): 1. Something of little value or importance. 2. A small, decorative dessert.
  • Worrying about such a trifle is pointless.
• Trifler (noun): A person who acts frivolously or wastes time.

Synonyms

• Adjective: trivial, negligible, insignificant, minor, paltry, petty, inconsequential.
• Noun: dawdling, procrastination, frivolity, idling, time-wasting.

Antonyms

• Adjective: important, significant, major, substantial, weighty, crucial.
• Noun: diligence, industry, earnestness, application.

Idioms and Fixed Phrases

• A trifling matter: A matter of no consequence.
  • The disagreement was over a trifling matter and was quickly forgotten.
• Not a trifling sum: Used to emphasize that an amount of money is, in fact, significant (often in negative constructions).
  • Ten thousand dollars is not a trifling sum for most families.

Adjective

1. not worth considering
   • he considered the prize too paltry for the lives it must cost
   • piffling efforts
   • a trifling matter

Noun

1. the deliberate act of delaying and playing instead of working