Library / English Dictionary

TRIFLE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Something of small importance

Synonyms:

small beer; trifle; trivia; triviality

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("trifle" is a kind of...):

object; physical object (a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "trifle"):

bagatelle; fluff; frippery; frivolity (something of little value or significance)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A detail that is considered insignificant

Synonyms:

trifle; triviality

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Hypernyms ("trifle" is a kind of...):

detail; item; point (an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole)

Sense 3

Meaning:

A cold pudding made of layers of sponge cake spread with fruit or jelly; may be decorated with nuts, cream, or chocolate

Classified under:

Nouns denoting foods and drinks

Hypernyms ("trifle" is a kind of...):

pud; pudding ((British) the dessert course of a meal ('pud' is used informally))

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "trifle"):

tipsy cake (a trifle soaked in wine and decorated with almonds and candied fruit)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Consider not very seriously

Example:

She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania

Synonyms:

dally; play; trifle

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Hypernyms (to "trifle" is one way to...):

consider; deal; look at; take (take into consideration for exemplifying purposes)

Verb group:

dally; flirt; play; toy (behave carelessly or indifferently)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s PP

Sentence example:

Sam wants to trifle with Sue

Sense 2

Meaning:

Act frivolously

Synonyms:

frivol; trifle

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Hypernyms (to "trifle" is one way to...):

act; behave; do (behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Derivation:

trifler (one who behaves lightly or not seriously)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Waste time; spend one's time idly or inefficiently

Synonyms:

piddle; piddle away; trifle; wanton; wanton away

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Hypernyms (to "trifle" is one way to...):

drop; expend; spend (pay out)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Derivation:

trifling (the deliberate act of delaying and playing instead of working)

Credits

 Context examples: 

I must not be trifled with, and I demand an answer.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

This slight upon my best Sunday suit brought a flush to my mother’s cheeks, which my uncle instantly observed, for he was quick in noticing trifles.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

His acquaintance with Elizabeth was very trifling.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

Her mother thought that there was a trifle too much description.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

It is founded upon the observation of trifles.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

This may be some trifling intrigue, and I cannot break my other important research for the sake of it.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Tomorrow, you shall only do me a very trifling piece of work.

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

Also a low growl rumbled in his throat as warning that he was not to be trifled with.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

I don’t know whether you observed it, Watson, but the Colonel’s manner has been just a trifle cavalier to me.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

This old ape-man—he was their chief—was a sort of red Challenger, with every one of our friend's beauty points, only just a trifle more so.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)