“Trifling” means something very small, unimportant, or not worth much attention. It can also describe a person or action that seems petty or not serious.
People use “trifling” when they want to say something does not matter much. For example, they might call a problem trifling if it is minor, or say someone is trifling if they are acting careless, lazy, or not taking things seriously.
Meaning & Usage
“Trifling” is often used to describe small issues, tiny amounts, or behavior that feels disrespectful or unimportant. In everyday speech, it usually has a slightly negative tone.
Examples
“Don’t worry about that—it’s a trifling matter.”
“He was upset over a trifling mistake.”
“That was a trifling amount of money.”
Is “trifling” a negative word?
Usually, yes. It often suggests that something is too small to matter or that someone is acting in a careless or petty way.
Can “trifling” describe a person?
Yes. If someone is called trifling, it usually means they are not serious, unreliable, or not behaving in a respectful way.
Is “trifling” formal or informal?
It can be used in both, but it sounds a bit more formal or old-fashioned than everyday words like “small” or “minor.”
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