Trifling in a Sentence: Meaning, Examples & Practice

Trifling describes something so small or unimportant that it hardly deserves attention. To use trifling in a sentence, place it before the noun it plays down: “a trifling sum” or “a trifling delay.” The adjective belongs to formal and literary writing, where it often dismisses a complaint as not worth the effort.

Trifling at a glance

• Trifling is an adjective; the related noun and verb is trifle, and it has no common adverb in modern use.
• It means small, unimportant or not worth serious attention.
• It sits before a noun far more often than after a linking verb: a trifling amount, a trifling matter.
• It often carries a faint sneer, suggesting somebody is making too much of very little.
• The commonest error is confusing trifling with the noun trifle, which means a small amount, a dessert or a light love affair.

What does trifling mean?

Trifling is an adjective meaning of little value, amount or importance. The Cambridge entry for trifling ties it to things that are small and not serious, which is why it serves both as a comment on size and as a judgement on importance. A trifling sum is simply tiny, while a trifling objection is one the speaker thinks should never have been raised. Where the thing is showily shallow rather than small, a frivolous objection is the sharper word.

One limitation is worth stating plainly. Trifling is formal and slightly old-fashioned, so everyday speech prefers tiny, trivial or not worth bothering about. It also judges size and importance, not truth: a trifling error can still be a real one.

How do you use trifling in a sentence?

The adjective almost always hangs on a noun, and a handful of fixed collocations do most of the work. The patterns below also include the understated negative, which is a favourite of formal writers.

Trifling in a sentence: examples across contexts

The word stays formal as it travels between registers, but what it plays down changes. The nine sentences below move from a school office to a lab report, and each one names something judged too small to matter.

Trifling vs trivial

Trifling and trivial both shrink their object, and they are close enough to swap in many sentences. Trivial is the plainer and more modern word, and it simply means unimportant. Trifling leans older and often adds a note of scorn, as if the thing should never have been raised. A paltry sum is belittled for being mean as well as small.

Verdict: use trivial for a plain statement that something does not matter, and trifling when you also want to suggest that somebody is making too much of very trivial complaints.

Word forms and grammar of trifling

Trifling is the adjective built from the noun and verb trifle, and the two are easy to mix. The table sets out the family, including the phrase a trifle, which means a little.

The noun trifle is the one to reach for when the point is a small amount rather than a small importance.

Common mistakes with trifling

• Incorrect: The bill was a trifling, so nobody worried. Correct: The bill was trifling, so nobody worried. Rule: Trifling is an adjective, not a noun; the noun is trifle.
• Incorrect: Do not trifle me about the rent. Correct: Do not trifle with me about the rent. Rule: The verb trifle takes with before its object.
• Incorrect: Add a trifling of salt. Correct: Add a trifle of salt. Rule: For a small quantity use the noun trifle, often in the phrase a trifle.
• Incorrect: The matter was too trifling that nobody noticed. Correct: The matter was too trifling to notice. Rule: Too takes a to-infinitive, not a that-clause.
• Incorrect: a triffling mistake Correct: a trifling mistake. Rule: The -ing form drops the final e of trifle and keeps a single f.

Practice using trifling

Work through the six items, then check the reason rather than only the key.

1. Fill the gap: The refund came to a ______ amount, hardly worth the postage.
2. Choose the better word: The report dismissed the fault as (trivial / trifling) because the writer thought the complaint was impertinent.
3. Correct the error: The loss was a trifling, so the insurer paid at once.
4. Build a sentence: use a trifling sum about a fee that barely covered the cost.
5. Spot the register: which belongs in an audit note — the discrepancy was by no means trifling, or the discrepancy was no biggie?
6. Rewrite with the noun: The soup was slightly hot. Use a trifle instead.

Answers

1. trifling — the amount is small, and the postage phrase confirms it is not worth the effort.
2. trifling — the sneer at an impertinent complaint suits the sharper, older word.
3. The loss was trifling, so the insurer paid at once — the adjective does not take an article.
4. Model answer: The fee was a trifling sum that barely covered the printing.
5. The discrepancy was by no means trifling — an audit keeps the formal litotes and drops no biggie.
6. The soup was a trifle hot — a trifle works as an adverbial phrase before an adjective.

The bottom line

Use trifling in a sentence when something is small, unimportant or not worth the fuss, and let the noun it modifies carry the detail. The two points that decide most sentences are these: it is an adjective rather than a noun, and it leans older and sharper than trivial. For a purely neutral note that a detail is an insignificant detail, the plainer word is safer.

Frequently asked questions about trifling

What does trifling mean in modern English?

It still means small or unimportant, exactly as it did a century ago. What has changed is the register: trifling now sounds formal and a little literary, so most speakers say tiny, trivial or not worth bothering about. It survives best in legal, editorial and older writing.

Is trifling a noun or an adjective?

Trifling is an adjective, so it describes a noun: a trifling sum, a trifling delay. The noun is trifle, as in a trifle of sugar. The verb is also trifle, meaning to treat something as unimportant, and it usually takes with.

What is the difference between a trifle and trifling?

A trifle is a noun or an adverbial phrase meaning a small amount, as in a trifle of salt or a trifle late. Trifling is the adjective meaning unimportant. The two share a root, so the choice depends on whether you are naming an amount or judging a thing.

Is trifling an insult?

It can sting, because calling something trifling implies the other person has made too much of very little. The insult is mild and formal rather than rude. In an appeal, however, the same word can reassure, as in no gift is too trifling to help.

Do you know what the word “trifling” means? In essence, it refers to something that is unimportant or of little value. This adjective is commonly used to describe things that are insignificant or not worthy of serious attention.

When someone or something is described as trifling, it often implies a lack of importance or significance. This word is frequently employed to convey a sense of triviality or shallowness in the subject being discussed.

7 Examples Of Trifling Used In a Sentence For Kids

• I found a trifling bug in the garden.
• The teacher asked us not to waste time on trifling tasks.
• The little girl enjoyed playing with her trifling toy.
• The trifling pebble skipped across the water.
• My sister got upset over a trifling mistake in her drawing.
• The cat chased after a trifling mouse.
• We should not argue over trifling matters.

14 Sentences with Trifling Examples

1. Trifling over small details like formatting can often lead to unnecessary stress during final project submissions.
2. It’s important to avoid trifling with your health by getting enough sleep and eating well-balanced meals, especially during exam season.
3. Trifling with plagiarism can have serious consequences in academic settings, so it’s crucial to properly cite sources in your work.
4. Some students may find themselves trifling with time management, resulting in late submissions and added pressure.
5. Collaborating with classmates can help alleviate the pressure of trifling over difficult assignments or projects.
6. Trifling over which elective to choose can lead to indecision and potentially missing out on valuable learning opportunities.
7. It’s common for students to experience moments of trifling over their career choices and future goals.
8. Trifling over minor disagreements with roommates can create a negative living environment that hinders academic success.
9. Skipping classes may seem like a trifling decision at the time, but it can impact your overall academic performance in the long run.
10. Seeking help from professors or academic advisors can provide clarity on subjects that students may be trifling to fully understand.
11. Trifling with online distractions can lead to decreased productivity and hinder effective studying habits.
12. It’s important for students to avoid trifling over social activities and prioritize their academic responsibilities.
13. Utilizing resources like the library or study groups can help students overcome feelings of trifling with difficult coursework.
14. Balancing extracurricular activities with academics may seem trifling, but it can contribute to a well-rounded college experience.

How To Use Trifling in Sentences?

Trifling

When using the word trifling in a sentence, it is important to keep in mind that it is typically used to describe something small or unimportant. Here is a simple guide on how to use trifling effectively in a sentence:

1. Identify a small or insignificant situation or detail that you want to describe.
   Example: “The customer complained about the trifling issue of a missing napkin in her takeout order.”

2. Make sure to use the word trifling before the noun or adjective it is describing.
   Example: “She found his excuses to be quite trifling and trivial.”

3. You can also use trifling to convey a sense of dismissal or disdain towards the subject.
   Example: “I could not be bothered with his trifling attempts to get my attention.”

4. Remember that trifling can be used in both formal and informal contexts, making it a versatile word to add to your vocabulary.

By following these simple guidelines, you can effectively incorporate the word trifling into your writing and conversation to convey the idea of something insignificant or petty.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the example sentences with the keyword “trifling” highlight instances of insignificance or triviality. These sentences emphasize the unimportance or lack of gravity in certain matters, pointing out their trivial nature. Whether it’s a trifling mistake or a trifling sum of money, the word “trifling” is used to diminish the significance of such objects or situations.

Overall, the use of “trifling” in sentences conveys a sense of minimal importance or value, underscoring the trivial or inconsequential nature of the subject at hand. By emphasizing the triviality of certain aspects, these sentences serve to downplay their significance and highlight their insignificance in the broader context of a situation or story.