Trifle

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈtraɪf_É™l/
• Rhymes: -aɪfÉ™l

Origin

From Middle English trufle, from Old French trufle ("mockery"), from truffe ("deception").

Full definition of trifle

Noun

1. An English dessert made from a mixture of thick custard, fruit, sponge cake, jelly and whipped cream.
2. An insignificant amount.
• 1928, Lawrence R. Bourne, Well Tackled! Chapter 17, Commander Birch was a trifle uneasy when he found there was more than a popple on the sea; it was, in fact, distinctly choppy. Strictly speaking, he ought to have been following up the picket–boat, but he was satisfied that the circumstances were sufficiently urgent for him to take risks.
3. Anything that is of little importance or worth.
• ShakespeareTrifles light as air
  Are to the jealous confirmation strong
  As proofs of holy writ.
• Draytonwith such poor trifles playing
4. A particular kind of pewter.
5. (uncountable) Utensils made from this particular kind of pewter.

Synonyms

• (insignificant amount) iota, jot, scrap, whit
• (thing of little importance or worth) bagatelle, minor detail, whiffle

Derived terms

• a trifle

Verb

1. (intransitive) To deal with something as if it were of little importance or worth.
2. (intransitive) To act, speak, or otherwise behave with jest.
3. (intransitive) To inconsequentially toy with something.
4. (transitive) To squander or waste.

Anagrams

• filter
• lifter