Words / B2

TRIV-ee-uh-l/ˈtrɪviəl/

Trivial means too small or unimportant to matter: a trivial error; trivialise (verb). Trifle is a dessert or “a trifle” meaning slightly; tribal is of a tribe (previous). A missing n is not trivial. Mix-up: tribal / trivia (quiz facts). Do not call a safeguarding failure trivial.

Meaning

Too small or unimportant to matter.

Examples

• “A missing n is not trivial, the methods tutor said.”
• “Trivia quiz facts are not a literature argument, which is the “unimportant details” warning.”

Good to know

a trivial + noun; trivialise. Opposite: significant / serious. Trap: tribal / trivia. Evaluations, news, and methods. Too small to matter — check it really is.

Near in meaning

unimportant

New