trivial

triv·i·al

adj \ˈtri-vē-əl\

Definition of TRIVIAL

1

: commonplace, ordinary

2

a : of little worth or importance <a trivial objection> <trivial problems> b : relating to or being the mathematically simplest case; specifically : characterized by having all variables equal to zero <a trivial solution to a linear equation>

3

: specific 4

— triv·i·al·ist \-ə-list\ noun

— triv·i·al·ly \-ə-lē\ adverb

Examples of TRIVIAL

1. statistics and other trivial matters
2. a trivial sum of money
3. Compared to her problems, our problems seem trivial.
4. His later memory, untutored and unsupported by anything so trivial as evidence or documents, now flourished and ran wild. —Muriel Spark, Curriculum Vitae, (1992) 1993
5. I had never heard anyone speak of their parents in this way; I never even knew you could make them seem trivial… —Jamaica Kincaid, Lucy, 1990
6. But the last tribute was to be a struggle among states for possession of the trivial remains of a man who in life had known as much revilement as honor. —Robert Penn Warren, Jefferson Davis Gets His Citizenship Back, 1980

Origin of TRIVIAL

Latin trivialis found everywhere, commonplace, from trivium crossroads, from tri- + via way — more at way

First Known Use: 1589

Related to TRIVIAL

Synonyms: fiddling, foolish, frivolous, incidental, inconsequential, inconsiderable, insignificant, little, Mickey Mouse, minor, minute, negligible, nugatory, slight, small, small-fry, trifling, unimportant

Antonyms: big, consequential, eventful, important, major, material, meaningful, momentous, significant, substantial, unfrivolous, weighty

Related Words: jerkwater, one-horse; nickel-and-dime, paltry, petty, small-time, worthless; anonymous, nameless, obscure, uncelebrated, unknown

Near Antonyms: decisive, fatal, fateful; chief, dominant, overbearing, overmastering, overriding, principal; distinctive, exceptional, impressive, outstanding, prominent, remarkable; valuable, worthwhile, worthy; distinguished, eminent, great, illustrious, preeminent, prestigious; famous, notorious, renowned; all-important, basic, essential, fundamental, key

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