C2nounformallanguagefood
US/ˈtraɪ.fəl/
UK/ˈtraɪ.fəl/
something small and unimportant; also a British dessert of sponge cake, fruit, custard and cream
In context
They argued for an hour over a mere trifle.
Don't waste your savings on trifles you will never use.
Grandma made a trifle with sponge cake, fruit and custard for Christmas.
Words that go with trifle
adjective + noun
- a mere trifleTo a rich man, the price is a mere trifle.
verb + preposition
- argue over a trifleDon't argue over a trifle.
- worry about triflesShe tends to worry about trifles.
- waste money on triflesHe wasted money on trifles at the market.
- quarrel over triflesOld friends should not quarrel over trifles.
noun + noun
- sherry trifleA sherry trifle is a classic holiday dessert in Britain.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
This is a trifle problem.Correct: This is a trifling problem. / This is a mere trifle.