trifle

²trifle

verb

tri·fledtri·fling\-f(ə-)liŋ\

Definition of TRIFLE

intransitive verb

1

a : to talk in a jesting or mocking manner or with intent to delude or mislead b : to treat someone or something as unimportant

2

: to handle something idly

transitive verb

: to spend or waste in trifling or on trifles

— tri·fler \-f(ə-)lər\ noun

Examples of TRIFLE

1. <do not trifle with me unless you mean to ask me to marry you>
2. <spent a lazy afternoon trifling on the front porch>

Origin of TRIFLE

Middle English truflen, triflen, from Anglo-French trufler to trick, talk nonsense

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to TRIFLE

Synonyms: coquet (or coquette), dally, frivol, mess around, toy, flirt

Related Words: vamp; court, mash, woo; josh, kid, put on, razz, rib, tease; fool, lead on, string along; manipulate, play (with)

Near Antonyms: buckle (down), knuckle down, set (to), settle (down)

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Synonym Discussion of TRIFLE

trifle, toy, dally, flirt, coquet mean to deal with or act toward without serious purpose. trifle may imply playfulness, unconcern, indulgent contempt <to trifle with a lover's feelings>. toy implies acting without full attention or serious exertion of one's powers <a political novice toying with great issues>. dally suggests indulging in thoughts or plans merely as an amusement <dallying with the idea of building a boat someday>. flirt implies an interest or attention that soon passes to another object <flirted with one fashionable ism after another>. coquet implies attracting interest or admiration without serious intention <companies that coquet with environmentalism solely for public relations>.