trifle
gb/tɹˈaɪfəl/ us/tɹˈaɪfəl/
A2
English
~ 4100
semmiség, apróság, trifle, angol rakott piskótás desszert, könnyelműen bánik, félvállról vesz, játszik, elpazarol, elfecsérel
NOUN
B2
1
Usage pattern:
a [trifle] to [someone]
He dismissed the cost as a mere trifle.
A költséget puszta semmiségnek tekintette.
Don't argue over such trifles when there are bigger problems.
Ne vitatkozzatok ilyen apróságokon, amikor nagyobb problémák is vannak.
The delay was a trifle compared to the overall success.
Learner examples
This problem is a trifle.
Ez a probléma semmiség.
The price is a trifle for him.
Ez az ár neki semmiség.
We should not fight about a trifle.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'trifle' with 'truffle' (a type of chocolate or fungus).
Meaning
Something unimportant or small
Collocations
mere trifle
|small trifle
|consider it a trifle
Synonyms
triviality (Slightly more formal and abstract, often used for ideas rather than physical things.)
Antonyms
priority (Refers to something important and needing attention, the opposite of a trifle in importance.)
Themes
daily life
|judgment
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Something that is not important or has little value.
A thing of little value, importance, or significance.
NOUN
A2
2
Usage pattern:
eat [a trifle]
She served a homemade trifle for dessert.
Desszertnek házi trifle-t tálalt.
The trifle was topped with whipped cream and berries.
A trifle tetejét tejszínhabbal és bogyós gyümölcsökkel díszítették.
He made a trifle using leftover sponge cake.
Learner examples
I like strawberry trifle.
Szeretem az epres trifle-t.
We made a trifle for the party.
Egy trifle-t készítettünk a bulira.
The trifle has cream and fruit.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this sense with the figurative meaning of 'something unimportant'. Context is key.
Meaning
Layered dessert with sponge and cream
Collocations
strawberry trifle
|traditional English trifle
|make a trifle
Synonyms
dessert (General term for sweet course after a meal; lacks the specific layered structure of a trifle.)
Themes
food
|cooking
|food_drink
|daily_life
Definition
A sweet dish with cake, fruit, jelly, and cream in layers.
A cold dessert made from layers of sponge cake, fruit, jelly, and cream or custard.
VERB
B2
3
Usage pattern:
to trifle with [something]
You shouldn't trifle with people's emotions.
Nem szabad játszani az emberek érzelmeivel.
He trifled with the rules and got into trouble.
Félvállról vette a szabályokat, és bajba került.
Don't trifle with your health by ignoring symptoms.
Learner examples
Do not trifle with my feelings.
Ne játssz az érzéseimmel.
He trifled with the law and was caught.
Nem vette komolyan a törvényt, és elkapták.
We should not trifle with safety rules.
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize this verb is often used in the phrase 'trifle with'. Alone, it can sound old-fashioned.
Meaning
Treat something without seriousness
Collocations
trifle with danger
|trifle with someone's feelings
Synonyms
toy with (Suggests a casual or careless attitude; can be physical or emotional.)
Antonyms
respect (To treat something with seriousness and care.)
Themes
behavior
|judgment
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Definition
To not take something seriously or to treat it as not important.
To handle or deal with something without proper seriousness or respect.
VERB
C1
4
elpazarol
B1
elfecsérel
B2
Usage pattern:
to trifle away [time/money] on [something]
He trifled away the afternoon instead of working.
Munka helyett elfecsérelte a délutánt.
They trifled away their savings on useless gadgets.
Haszontalan kütyükre pazarolták el a megtakarításaikat.
Stop trifling away your time and get back to work.
Learner examples
He trifled away the day.
Elpazarolta a napot.
She trifled away her money on toys.
Játékokra pazarolta el a pénzét.
We should not trifle away our time.
Meaning
Waste time on unimportant things
Collocations
trifle away time
|trifle away money
Synonyms
dawdle (Focuses on moving slowly and wasting time; less about lack of importance.)
Antonyms
focus (To use time and energy on what is important.)
Themes
time management
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Definition
To use time on small or unimportant things instead of important ones.
To spend time idly or on things of little importance.
Grammar
Dictionary form
trifle
IPA
GB/tɹˈaɪfəl/
US/tɹˈaɪfəl/
Syllables & stress
trifle (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (trifle)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: trifle
- Plural: trifle, trifles
Verb
- Base: trifle
- 3rd Person Singular: trifles
- Present Participle: trifling
- Past: trifled
Word family
Forms
trifles
noun
trifling
verb
trifled
verb
Related words
trivial
adjective B2
Negative and opposite forms
nontrivial
adjective
Advanced or less common
triviality
noun
trivialize
verb
trivially
adverb
Expressions
a mere trifle
1/ə mˈɪɹ tɹˈaɪfəl/
fixed phrase
Something very unimportant
Something that is very small in value or importance.
Examples
- The cost is a mere trifle compared to your safety.
- It was a mere trifle to him, but it meant a lot to me.
trifle away time/money/etc.
1/tɹˈaɪfəl əwˈeɪ tˈaɪmmənˌaɪəts ‖/
phrasal verb
Waste resources carelessly on small things
To waste time, money, or another resource on things that are not important.
Examples
- They trifled away their fortune on gambling.
- She trifled away the afternoon watching TV.
trifle with something
1/tɹˈaɪfəl wˈɪθ sˈʌmθɪŋ/
phrasal verb
Not treat something seriously
To not take something seriously or to show no respect for it.
Examples
- You must never trifle with dangerous machinery.
- He trifled with the agreement and broke it easily.