Trifle vs. Trivial — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 6, 2024
A trifle refers to something of little value or importance, whereas trivial describes things that are insignificant or minor in nature.
Difference Between Trifle and Trivial
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A trifle is often used to describe a thing of little value or significance, emphasizing its lack of importance in a broader context. On the other hand, trivial is typically used as an adjective to characterize matters or facts that are so unimportant that they barely merit consideration. This distinction highlights how each term is applied: one as a noun to denote something insignificant, and the other as an adjective to describe the nature of something as minor or negligible.
While a trifle can denote a small amount or something that is not to be taken seriously, often in a tangible context like a small gift or a light dessert, trivial is used to qualify subjects, details, or issues that are deemed inconsequential or peripheral in the scope of a larger discussion or situation. This usage difference points out how trifle can be something physical or conceptual that is minor, whereas trivial is an attribute that deems things as lacking in seriousness or importance.
Trifle can also imply a playful or frivolous interaction, suggesting a light-hearted or non-serious engagement with something or someone. Trivial, however, conveys a sense of minimal worth or relevance to the subject at hand, often used to dismiss concerns or details as unworthy of attention in academic, intellectual, or practical contexts.
In conversation, when someone says they are "concerned with trifles," it often means they are focused on minutiae or small matters that might not have significant outcomes. Conversely, when ideas or concerns are labeled as trivial, it implies a judgment that these matters are so unimportant that they should not disrupt or influence more critical considerations or discussions.
Although both terms are used to diminish the perceived value or importance of an object or concept, a trifle sometimes carries a connotation of endearment or affection in diminution, especially in personal or social contexts. In contrast, describing something as trivial can imply a dismissive attitude toward the subject, indicating that it is not worth serious thought or engagement.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Noun
Adjective
Context
Can be tangible or intangible; often used to denote something of little value or importance.
Describes subjects or matters as unimportant or of minor significance.
Connotation
Sometimes carries a light-hearted or affectionate tone.
Often has a dismissive or negative connotation.
Usage in Conversation
Refers to minor matters or things of little importance, sometimes with a playful aspect.
Describes ideas or concerns as unworthy of serious consideration.
Implication
Can imply a small amount, a minor concern, or something not to be taken seriously.
Indicates minimal worth or relevance, often in academic or intellectual contexts.
Compare with Definitions
Trifle
A thing of little value or importance.
He spent the afternoon fussing over trifles that didn't matter.
Trivial
Of little value or importance.
They dismissed his concerns as trivial.
Trifle
A type of dessert.
For dessert, they had a delicious berry trifle.
Trivial
Of minimal interest or significance.
The book was filled with trivial facts.
Trifle
Something not to be taken seriously.
Their argument was over a mere trifle.
Trivial
Easily done or solved.
For her, the puzzle was trivial.
Trifle
A small amount.
She only had a trifle of patience left for the meeting.
Trivial
Insignificant in nature.
The difference in their ages was trivial.
Trifle
A light or frivolous activity.
They engaged in trifles instead of focusing on work.
Trivial
Concerning minor or peripheral details.
The committee wasted time on trivial matters.
Trifle
Trifle is a dessert found in British and other cuisines. Made with fruit, a thin layer of sponge fingers commonly soaked in sherry or another fortified wine, and custard, the contents of a trifle are highly variable; many varieties exist, some forgoing fruit entirely and instead using other ingredients, such as chocolate, coffee or vanilla.
Trivial
Of little significance or value.
Trifle
A thing of little value or importance
We needn't trouble the headmaster over such trifles
Trivial
Concerned with or involving unimportant matters; superficial
A trivial colleague.
A trivial remark.
Trifle
A cold dessert of sponge cake and fruit covered with layers of custard, jelly, and cream
Bowls of trifle followed
Syllabubs, trifles, and other dishes
Trivial
Of, relating to, or being the solution of an equation in which every variable is equal to zero.
Trifle
Treat without seriousness or respect
Men who trifle with women's affections
He is not a man to be trifled with
Trivial
Of, relating to, or being the simplest possible case; self-evident.
Trifle
Talk or act frivolously
We will not trifle—life is too short
Trivial
Ignorable; of little significance or value.
Trifle
Something of little importance or value.
Trivial
Commonplace, ordinary.
Trifle
A small amount; a jot.
Trivial
Concerned with or involving trivia.
Trifle
A dessert typically consisting of plain or sponge cake soaked in sherry, rum, or brandy and topped with layers of jam or jelly, custard, and whipped cream.
Trivial
(taxonomy) Relating to or designating the name of a species; specific as opposed to generic.
Trifle
A moderately hard variety of pewter.
Trivial
(mathematics) Of, relating to, or being the simplest possible case.
Trifle
Trifles Utensils made from this variety of pewter.
Trivial
(mathematics) Self-evident.
Trifle
To treat flippantly or without seriousness; play or toy
Don't trifle with my affections.
Trivial
Pertaining to the trivium.
Trifle
(Archaic) To act or speak with little seriousness or purpose; jest.
Trivial
(philosophy) Indistinguishable in case of truth or falsity.
Trifle
To waste (time or money, for example).
Trivial
(obsolete) Any of the three liberal arts forming the trivium.
Trifle
An English dessert made from a mixture of thick custard, fruit, sponge cake, jelly and whipped cream.
Trivial
Found anywhere; common.
Trifle
Anything that is of little importance or worth.
Trivial
Ordinary; commonplace; trifling; vulgar.
As a scholar, meantime, he was trivial, and incapable of labor.
Trifle
An insignificant amount of money.
Trivial
Of little worth or importance; inconsiderable; trifling; petty; paltry; as, a trivial subject or affair.
The trivial round, the common task.
Trifle
A very small amount (of something).
Trivial
Of or pertaining to the trivium.
Trifle
A particular kind of pewter.
Trivial
One of the three liberal arts forming the trivium.
Trifle
(uncountable) Utensils made from this particular kind of pewter.
Trivial
(informal terms) small and of little importance;
A fiddling sum of money
A footling gesture
Our worries are lilliputian compared with those of countries that are at war
A little (or small) matter
Mickey Mouse regulations
A dispute over niggling details
Limited to petty enterprises
Piffling efforts
Giving a police officer a free meal may be against the law, but it seems to be a picayune infraction
Trifle
(intransitive) To deal with something as if it were of little importance or worth.
You must not trifle with her affections.
Trivial
Obvious and dull;
Trivial conversation
Commonplace prose
Trifle
(intransitive) To act, speak, or otherwise behave with jest.
Trivial
Of little substance or significance;
A few superficial editorial changes
Only trivial objections
Trifle
(intransitive) To inconsequentially toy with something.
Trivial
Concerned with trivialities;
A trivial young woman
A trivial mind
Trifle
(transitive) To squander or waste.
Trivial
Not large enough to consider or notice
Trifle
To make a trifle of, to make trivial.
Trifle
A thing of very little value or importance; a paltry, or trivial, affair.
With such poor trifles playing.
Trifles light as airAre to the jealous confirmation strongAs proofs of holy writ.
Small sands the mountain, moments make year,And frifles life.
Trifle
A dish composed of sweetmeats, fruits, cake, wine, etc., with syllabub poured over it.
Trifle
To act or talk without seriousness, gravity, weight, or dignity; to act or talk with levity; to indulge in light or trivial amusements.
They trifle, and they beat the air about nothing which toucheth us.
Trifle
To make of no importance; to treat as a trifle.
Trifle
To spend in vanity; to fritter away; to waste; as, to trifle away money.
Trifle
Jam-spread sponge cake soaked in wine served with custard sauce
Trifle
A detail that is considered insignificant
Trifle
Something of small importance
Trifle
Waste time; spend one's time idly or inefficiently
Trifle
Act frivolously
Trifle
Consider not very seriously;
He is trifling with her
She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania
Common Curiosities
Can a trifle be something tangible?
Yes, a trifle can refer to a tangible object of little significance or a small amount of something.
Can a situation be described as trivial?
Yes, situations, details, or concerns can be described as trivial if they are considered unimportant.
Is it derogatory to call someone’s concerns trivial?
It can be perceived as dismissive or derogatory, as it implies the concerns are unimportant.
Does trivial imply easiness in solving problems?
It can, especially in contexts where tasks or puzzles are described as trivial, meaning they are easily solved.
Are trifles always negative?
Not necessarily; the context can make trifles endearing or simply denote something minor.
Is it common to overlook trifles in decision-making?
Yes, people often focus on significant matters, overlooking trifles that might not impact the larger situation.
What does it mean when something is considered a trifle?
It means the thing is of little value or importance, often insignificant.
Can the importance of something trivial change over time?
Yes, what is considered trivial at one moment can become significant later, depending on circumstances.
How is trivial different from a trifle?
Trivial is an adjective that describes something as of little importance or significance, whereas a trifle is a noun that refers to something insignificant.
Is trifle ever used in a positive context?
Yes, it can be used affectionately or light-heartedly to refer to minor, non-serious activities or gifts.
How does one use trivial in a sentence?
One might say, “The discrepancies in the report were trivial and didn’t affect the outcome.”
Why might someone focus on trivial matters?
They might focus on trivial matters to avoid dealing with more significant, challenging issues.
Can trivial matters become significant?
In some contexts, what starts as trivial can gain importance depending on developments or perspectives.
Can food be described as a trifle?
Yes, in addition to its general meaning, trifle is also a specific type of layered dessert.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
