“Trifling” means something very small, unimportant, or not worth much attention. It can also describe a person who acts in a silly, careless, or petty way.
People use “trifling” when they want to say that something is too minor to matter, or that someone is behaving in a lazy or disrespectful way. In everyday conversation, it often has a negative tone, especially when talking about a person’s actions or attitude.
Meaning & Usage
You might hear “trifling” used for a small problem, a tiny amount of money, or someone who is not being serious. For example, if a task seems too small to worry about, someone may call it trifling. If a person keeps avoiding responsibility, others may say they are trifling.
Examples
“Don’t worry about that trifling mistake.”
“He was acting trifling and didn’t take the situation seriously.”
“That’s a trifling amount of money.”
Is “trifling” a formal word?
It can be used in both formal and informal English, but in daily speech it often sounds a bit old-fashioned or strong in tone.
Does “trifling” always mean small?
Not always. It can mean small or unimportant, but when used about a person, it usually means careless, immature, or not serious.
Is “trifling” a positive word?
No, it is usually negative. People often use it to show annoyance or to dismiss something as not important.
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