Trivial in a Sentence: Meaning, Examples & Practice

Trivial is the adjective for something so small or ordinary that it hardly matters. To use trivial in a sentence, attach it to the thing being dismissed: a trivial detail, a trivial sum, or a trivial complaint. “They argued for an hour about a trivial mistake.”

Trivial at a glance

• Trivial is an adjective; its family includes trivially, triviality and trivialise or trivialize.
• It judges importance, not size alone: a physically small problem can still be serious.
• Common partners are trivial detail, trivial matter, trivial sum and the phrase far from trivial.
• The word is grammatical everywhere, but it dismisses, so it can offend when aimed at a real worry.
• The commonest error is calling an important matter trivial, which reverses the sentence’s meaning.

What does trivial mean?

Trivial is an adjective meaning of little value or importance, and in technical writing it can also mean simple enough to need no real effort. The Cambridge entry for trivial records both senses, and the examples below show each in a full sentence.

Trivial sits beside several near neighbours that are not interchangeable. Minor says small in degree without denying that something matters; insignificant stresses that a thing has no effect; banal means dull and unoriginal. Trivial makes the strongest claim of all, that the matter deserves no attention, which is why the phrase far from trivial is such a useful denial.

How do you use trivial in a sentence?

Trivial is a normal descriptive adjective: it stands before a noun, follows a linking verb, or appears in the frame it is trivial to plus a verb. Because the adjective is short, English allows both more trivial and, in casual use, trivialer, though the longer form is safer in writing. The negative phrase far from trivial is the standard way to insist that something matters.

Trivial in a sentence: examples across contexts

The rows below move from classroom to courtroom, because trivial appears wherever people rank priorities. Notice how often the word is paired with a contrast, which shows that the speaker is measuring importance rather than describing size.

Trivial vs petty

Trivial judges an issue, while petty judges the person who raises it. A trivial detail is one that does not matter; a petty complaint is one that reveals small-mindedness, even if the topic is real. The related adjective frivolous is about a lack of seriousness rather than a lack of importance, which is why an objection can be frivolous without being trivial.

Use trivial when you rank an issue as unimportant, and petty when you criticise the narrow-mindedness behind a complaint.

Word forms and grammar of trivial

Trivial is an adjective, so it does not take a plural. The adverb trivially modifies a verb or an adjective, while the verb trivialize means to make something seem less important than it is. The noun triviality names the quality, and trivialities names the small matters themselves.

Common mistakes with trivial

The errors below usually come from overstating a dismissal or from using the wrong member of the word family. Each item shows the wrong sentence, the correction and the rule behind it.

• Incorrect: The doctor said the symptom was trivial, so we relaxed. Correct: The doctor said the symptom was minor, so we relaxed. Rule: A medical sign still matters; minor is safer than trivial.
• Incorrect: She trivialised the loss of his job. Correct: She understood the loss of his job. Rule: Trivialise means to belittle, which is the opposite of the intended comfort.
• Incorrect: He made a trivial of the mistake. Correct: He made a trivial point about the mistake. Rule: Trivial is an adjective and cannot stand alone as a noun.
• Incorrect: Today is trivialer than yesterday. Correct: Today is more trivial than yesterday. Rule: Use more with adjectives that take no -er ending.
• Incorrect: The triviality was that she smiled. Correct: She smiled at the triviality of the remark. Rule: The noun needs a full grammatical frame, not a bare clause.

Practice using trivial

1. Fill in the blank: We lost ten minutes to a ______ disagreement about the meeting time.
2. Choose the better word: The nurse said the bruise was (trivial / minor), but she still checked it.
3. Correct the error: The new phone is trivialer than the old one.
4. Build a sentence: use far from trivial about repairing a damaged bridge.
5. Spot the register: which sentence belongs in a legal document, (a) The objection was no big deal, or (b) The court dismissed the objection as trivial?
6. Fill in the blank: Please do not ______ her fear by calling it silly.

Answers

1. trivial — the delay is real but unimportant, which is exactly what the adjective says.
2. minor — the bruise still needs care, so the weaker judgment fits.
3. The new phone is more trivial than the old one. — use more instead of an -er ending.
4. Repairing the damaged bridge is far from trivial, and the engineers know it. — the phrase denies a dismissal.
5. (b) — trivial matches the formal register of a court ruling.
6. trivialise — the verb means to make something seem less important than it is.

The bottom line

To use trivial in a sentence, attach it to the issue you are ranking as unimportant, and keep the rest of the sentence concrete. The word makes a strong claim, so it can offend when aimed at a real worry; minor, small or insignificant are gentler when the matter still deserves attention. Use far from trivial when you need to insist that something counts. In technical writing, the same word can simply mean easy.

Frequently asked questions about trivial

Does trivial mean the same as petty?

Trivial and petty are close but not equal. Trivial judges the importance of an issue, so a trivial detail is one that does not matter. Petty judges the person, so a petty complaint reveals small-mindedness. A quarrel can be petty and still be about a topic that is not trivial at all.

Can a serious thing be called trivial?

Calling a serious thing trivial is possible but risky, because the word denies that the matter deserves attention. Writers often use the denial on purpose, as in far from trivial, to insist that something matters. Without that signal, the adjective can read as dismissive and offend the person affected.

What is the noun form of trivial?

The noun is triviality, meaning the quality of being unimportant, and its plural trivialities names the small matters themselves. The verb trivialise, or trivialize in American spelling, means to make something seem less important than it is. The adverb form is trivially.

Is trivial used in mathematics?

Yes, mathematics uses trivial for a case or solution so simple that it needs no real work. A trivial solution, such as zero, is one you can spot immediately. The technical sense keeps the core meaning of needing no effort, which is why it fits naturally beside the everyday use.

Have you ever wondered what the term “trivial” really means? In simple terms, a trivial matter or task is something that is of little importance or significance.

When something is labeled as trivial, it implies that it is not worth much attention or consideration. It can refer to a small and insignificant detail, a minor issue, or a mundane action that holds little value.

7 Examples Of Trivial Used In a Sentence For Kids

• Trivial means something small or unimportant.
• I don’t like to do trivial things.
• The teacher said my question was trivial.
• Let’s not waste time on trivial matters.
• It’s important to focus on the big things, not the trivial ones.
• Sometimes we worry too much about trivial things.
• Remember, it’s okay to not know the answer to a trivial question.

14 Sentences with Trivial Examples

• Trivial matters like choosing a major can sometimes feel overwhelming for college students.
• To some students, attending social events may seem trivial compared to focusing on their studies.
• It’s important to prioritize deadlines for assignments, even if they seem trivial at first glance.
• Trivial disagreements over group project decisions can often lead to unnecessary tension among classmates.
• Engaging in trivial gossip can distract students from their academic goals.
• It’s easy to get caught up in trivial matters and lose sight of the bigger picture in college.
• Some students may find it trivial to maintain a healthy work-life balance in the midst of busy academic schedules.
• Seeking help from professors or counselors for trivial issues is a sign of maturity and responsibility.
• It’s essential for college students to learn how to delegate tasks effectively, even ones that may seem trivial.
• Procrastinating on trivial tasks can lead to increased stress levels as deadlines approach.
• Keeping a planner can help students stay organized and on top of both important deadlines and trivial responsibilities.
• Balancing extracurricular activities with academic commitments can sometimes make it challenging to prioritize trivial obligations.
• Learning to let go of trivial anxieties can greatly improve mental well-being for college students.
• Setting aside time for relaxation and self-care is just as important as tackling trivial academic tasks.

How To Use Trivial in Sentences?

Trivial is used to describe something of little importance or significance.

To use trivial in a sentence, simply insert it in a context where you want to convey that something is unimportant or insignificant. For example, “The mistake was trivial and did not affect the overall outcome of the project.”

It’s essential to note that trivial is usually used in a negative context, to downplay the significance of something. For instance, “The issue raised during the meeting was trivial and quickly resolved.”

When using trivial, it’s advisable to ensure that the context clearly conveys the lack of importance of the subject matter. It is often used to dismiss or diminish something, so make sure it fits the tone of your sentence.

Additionally, be careful not to overuse trivial as it may come across as dismissive or insensitive, especially in situations where others may perceive the matter as important.

To practice using trivial in a sentence, try creating your examples or looking for examples in books or articles. This will help you become more comfortable with incorporating the word into your vocabulary.

Conclusion

In essence, sentences with trivial information are those that convey unimportant or insignificant details. While these sentences may contain facts or statements, their relevance to the main topic or overall communication is often minimal. Clear and effective communication requires the omission of trivial sentences to maintain focus and clarity.

To enhance the quality of written and verbal communication, it is essential to be mindful of including only relevant information. By eliminating sentences with trivial details, one can convey messages more effectively and keep the audience engaged. Ultimately, recognizing and omitting trivial sentences can lead to more concise and impactful communication.