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trifle

Syllabification: (tri·fle)

Pronunciation: /ˈtrīfəl/

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Definition of trifle

noun

1a thing of little value or importance:we needn’t trouble the headmaster over such trifles
[in singular] a small amount of something:the thousand yen he’d paid seemed the merest trifle

2British a cold dessert of sponge cake and fruit covered with layers of custard, jelly, and cream.

verb

[no object]

1 (trifle with) treat (someone or something) without seriousness or respect:he is not a man to be trifled with men who trifle with women’s affections

2 archaic talk or act frivolously:we will not trifle—life is too short
[with object] (trifle something away) waste something, especially time, frivolously.

Phrases

a trifle: a little; somewhat:his methods are a trifle eccentric

Derivatives

trifler

Origin:

Middle English (also denoting an idle story told to deceive or amuse): from Old French trufle, by-form of trufe 'deceit', of unknown origin. The verb derives from Old French truffler 'mock, deceive'

trifle in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of trifle in the British & World English dictionary

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Other

trifle

noun

verb

Phrases

a trifle

Derivatives

trifler

Origin:

trifle in other Oxford dictionaries

Nearby words

More results for trifle

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