I. -f(ə)liŋ, -lēŋ noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from gerund of triflen to trifle
: trifling conduct: as
a. : light talk : badinage
b. : a wasting or waste of time : effort or activity without value
II. adjective
Etymology: from present participle of trifle (II)
: lacking in significance or solid worth: as
a. : frivolous
trifling talk
b. : trivial
a trifling gift
these trifling quarrels
c. chiefly dialect : lazy , shiftless
a trifling fellow who never amounted to much
Synonyms: see petty