Trifle comes from the Middle English trufle, meaning “fraud, joke, trick.” You’ll usually hear it used to mean “insignificant, trivial.” If you write a little ditty to sing at a birthday party, you could say it’s just a trifle.
What is an example of trifle?
An example of trifle is a matter that is not very important and that doesn’t merit a lot of consideration. An example of trifle is a dessert with wine soaked spongecake, strawberry jelly and whipped cream.
How do you use trifle in a sentence?
Trifle sentence example
That the people themselves did not regard the reform as a trifle is plain from the numerous rebellions against it. He was getting just a trifle fed up with appearing like a country hick. Of course, it seems an awfully silly little trifle to talk about.
Is trifle an American word?
trifle in American English
4. esp. in England, a dessert consisting of spongecake soaked in wine, spread with jam, and covered with custard, whipped cream, etc.
Where does the term trifle come from?
Trifle comes in from Old French in the 13th century and has meant basically the same thing for much of its history. It started off as a way to refer to a false tale or foolishness or something trivial. By the 1300s, it can also refer to a small knick knack and by the 1500s, a small sum of money.
Why is the title trifles ironic?
The title of the play ‘trifles’ is ironic, because what is referred to as ‘trifles’ in the play embodies the most important answers to the question asked in the play; answers to the mystery of John Wright’s death. A trifle is something of little importance.
How do you use wanton in a sentence?
Wanton sentence example
He loved the way she could be wanton and sensual one minute, then bashful and demure the next. His one act of wanton devastation, the clearing of the New Forest, has been grossly exaggerated. He had been more set on exacting tribute than on perpetrating wanton massacres.
What is a synonym for trifle?
Some common synonyms of trifle are coquet, dally, flirt, and toy. While all these words mean “to deal with or act toward without serious purpose,” trifle may imply playfulness, unconcern, indulgent contempt. to trifle with a lover’s feelings.
What is trifle antonym?
Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and Antonyms
triflenoun. Antonyms: treasure, portent, phenomenon, crisis, conjuncture, importance, urgency, weight, necessity, seriousness. Synonyms: bauble, bagatelle, toy, straw, nothing, triviality, levity, joke, cipher, bubble, gewgaw, kickshaw, rush.
What does being trifling mean?
Definition of trifling
: lacking in significance or solid worth: such as. a : frivolous trifling talk. b : trivial a trifling gift. c chiefly dialectal : lazy, shiftless a trifling fellow.
Who said there is nothing so important as trifles?
“There is nothing so important as trifles.” | Sherlock holmes, Sherlock, Personagem.
Can trifle be an adjective?
Included below are past participle and present participle forms for the verb trifle which may be used as adjectives within certain contexts. Trivial, or of little importance. Idle or frivolous. (African American Vernacular) Of suspicious character, typically secretive or deceitful; shady.
What is a trifle Shakespeare?
Anything that is of little importance or worth. Synonyms: bagatelle, minor detail, whiffle, Thesaurus:trifle. circa 1604 William Shakespeare, Othello, Act III, Scene 3, Trifles light as air / Are to the jealous confirmation strong / As proofs of holy writ.
What is the history of trifles?
The traditional version of trifle that originated in England in the 18th century (with less similar dishes being made even earlier) consisted of three or four layers, including some sort of fruit, alcohol-soaked sponge cake and custard. The fruit and cake were often layered with homemade jelly.
