Trifle Definition
trīfəl
trifled, trifles, trifling
noun
trifles
Something of little value or importance; trivial thing, idea, etc.; paltry matter.
Webster's New World
A small amount of money.
Webster's New World
A small amount or degree; bit.
Webster's New World
Esp. in England, a dessert made with spongecake pieces spread with jam, sprinkled as with sherry, and layered in a large bowl with custard, fruit, whipped cream, etc.
Webster's New World
A kind of pewter of medium hardness.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
verb
trifled, trifles, trifling
To talk or act jokingly, mockingly, etc.; deal lightly.
Not a person to trifle with.
Webster's New World
To play or toy (with something)
Webster's New World
To act or speak with little seriousness or purpose; jest.
American Heritage
To spend idly; waste.
To trifle the hours away.
Webster's New World
To play fast and loose (with a person's affections); dally.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
- indulge in horseplay
- fool around
- lounge
- monkey with
- act silly
- make fun
- play-at
- mock
- slur-over
- dip into
- potter
- dally
- fribble
- horse around
- idle about
idiom
a trifle
- A little; somewhat:
a trifle stingy.
American Heritage
Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Trifle
Origin of Trifle
-
Middle English trufle, trifle piece of foolishness, trifling matter from Old French trufle variant of truffe trick, mockery from Old Provençal trufa truffle, mockery (from the notion that truffles, being difficult to find, seem to mock those who search for them) truffle
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From Middle English trufle, from Old French trufle (“mockery"), from truffe (“deception").
From Wiktionary
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