trifle

1 of 2

noun

tri·​fle ˈtrī-fəl 

1

: something of little value, substance, or importance

2

: a dessert typically consisting of plain or sponge cake often soaked with wine or spirits (such as brandy or rum) and topped with layers of preserves, custard, and cream

trifle

2 of 2

verb

trifled; trifling ˈtrī-f(ə-)liŋ 

intransitive verb

1

a

: to treat someone or something as unimportant

b

: to talk in a jesting or mocking manner or with intent to delude or mislead

2

: to handle something idly

transitive verb

: to spend or waste in trifling or on trifles

trifler

ˈtrī-f(ə-)lər 

noun

Phrases

a trifle

: to some small degree : slightly

a trifle annoyed

Synonyms

Noun

• bagatelle
• child's play
• frippery
• nonproblem
• nothing
• picayune
• shuck(s)
• small beer
• small change
• triviality

Verb

• coquet
• coquette
• dally
• flirt
• frivol
• mess around
• toy

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of trifle in a Sentence

Noun

There's no reason to argue over such trifles.

The money is a mere trifle to me.

Verb

do not trifle with me unless you mean to ask me to marry you

spent a lazy afternoon trifling on the front porch

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Not worth it, to risk annoying your husband over a trifle. —Joyce Carol Oates, Harper's Magazine, 10 July 2023

Sliced in half, these would be a great GF substitute in icebox cakes, trifles, or tiramisu. —Alex Beggs, Bon Appétit, 28 July 2023

This layered beauty combines the flavors and colors of ambrosia with the impressive presentation and taste of a trifle. 29 Coconut-Citrus Bars These gorgeous bars pay homage to one of our favorite vintage recipes, ambrosia. —Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 10 July 2023

The challenges that remain, the obstacles between the club and the achievement that represents the absolute, unavoidable culmination of Abu Dhabi’s vision for soccer, are hardly trifles. —Rory Smith, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2023

For a fancier treat, try going the Italian way and make this quick affogato trifle recipe for dessert tonight. —Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Nov. 2022

For the briefest of moments, Harlan Crow looks a trifle sheepish. —Christopher Helman, Forbes, 19 Apr. 2023

If The Bear is a hearty beef bourguignon—complex, with many different notes and dark tensions roiling underneath—the movie is more of a trifle, ethereal and fruity, but not without layers and meaningful sentiments of its own. —Chloe Schama, Vogue, 10 July 2023

Pile your trifle bowl high with toffee candy, Cool Whip, and two delicious shortcuts: brownie mix and pudding mix. —Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 12 June 2023

Verb

Pitt trifled away millions of Chateau Miraval’s dollars on vanity projects at the estate to ensure that the previously highly profitable wine label did not make Jolie and Nouvel any money, according to their complaint. —Rachel Shin, Fortune, 11 July 2023

But others, in my experience, have just been trifling. —Michelle Singletary, Washington Post, 14 June 2023

The everyday cadences of the film, the trifling conversations about flowers and kids and neighbors and hand-me-down clothes and where to live, are clearly meant to be relatable. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 22 May 2023

Throughout the book, matters of politics or patriotism are steamrolled by corporations, which (like the rocket) transcend nations and their trifling differences. —John Semley, WIRED, 16 Feb. 2023

Of course, for the heavily black work force in and around Detroit that can’t retreat to a vacation home, such an inconvenience is trifling by comparison. —Jonathan Martin, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2020

But these are trifling compared to the headaches caused by street protests. —Max De Haldevang, Quartz, 1 Apr. 2020

But given the attention his company has been getting from the government, the strict confidentiality employees willingly stick to, and the small early demos depicted, Amaya is clearly not to be trifled with. —Nathan Mattise, Ars Technica, 6 Mar. 2020

The pair enjoy spreading the word about the cook who fed the wranglers and wasn’t one to be trifled with. —Vincent T. Davis, ExpressNews.com, 15 Feb. 2020

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Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English trufle, trifle, from Anglo-French trufle, triffle fraud, trick, nonsense

Verb

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

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1b

Phrases Containing trifle

• a trifle
• trifle with

• a trifle
• trifle with

Kids Definition

trifle

1 of 2 noun

tri·​fle ˈtrī-fəl 

1

: something of little value or importance

2

: a dessert of sponge cake spread with jam or jelly covered with a custard and whipped cream

trifle

2 of 2 verb

trifled; trifling -f(ə-)liŋ 

1

a

: to talk in a joking manner

b

: to treat someone or something as unimportant

2

: to waste (as time or money) in trifling or on trifles

3

: to handle something idly : toy

trifler

-f(ə-)lər 

noun