Is TRIFLING considered a word?

Question

Many people use that word in reference to the term, filthy, nasty, dirty, etc. But my former English teacher from 12th grade used to argue that TRIFLING is not a word. What do you think? Is it a word or not?

Answer 1

It really depends on where you grew up! Trifling is more extreme than nasty, dirty or even filthy...It's like all of them rolled up in disgust and iced withtrash!

Answer 2

How sad that a 12th grade English teacher doesn't know English.

trifling is an adjective to describe something of little value; idle or frivolous

example: The students at high school usually have trifling conversations.

Answer 3

Main Entry: 2trifle
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): tri·fled; tri·fling /-f(&-)li[ng]/
Etymology: Middle English truflen, triflen, from Anglo-French trufler to trick, talk nonsense
intransitive verb
1 a : to talk in a jesting or mocking manner or with intent to delude or mislead b : to treat someone or something as unimportant
2 : to handle something idly
transitive verb : to spend or waste in trifling or on trifles
- tri·fler /-f(&-)l&r/ noun
synonyms TRIFLE, TOY, DALLY, FLIRT, COQUET mean to deal with or act toward without serious purpose. TRIFLE may imply playfulness, unconcern, indulgent contempt . TOY implies acting without full attention or serious exertion of one's powers . DALLY suggests indulging in thoughts or plans merely as an amusement . FLIRT implies an interest or attention that soon passes to another object . COQUET implies attracting interest or admiration without serious intention .

Answer 4

Trifling IS in the dictonary - so i think it is a word ... but i dont think its the same meaning as how we use it. I believe Trifling is a real qork ... but people changed the meaning to make it a slang word ?


check out the link.

Answer 5

Yes it is. See here:

trifling |ˈtrīf(ə)li ng | adjective unimportant or trivial : a trifling sum. DERIVATIVES triflingly adverb trifle |ˈtrīfəl| noun 1 a thing of little value or importance : we needn't trouble the headmaster over such trifles. • [in sing. ] a small amount of something : the thousand yen he'd paid seemed the merest trifle. 2 Brit. a cold dessert of sponge cake and fruit covered with layers of custard, jelly, and cream. verb [ intrans. ] 1 ( trifle with) treat (someone or something) without seriousness or respect : he is not a man to be trifled with | men who trifle with women's affections. 2 archaic talk or act frivolously : we will not trifle—life is too short. • [ trans. ] ( trifle something away) waste (something, esp. time) frivolously. PHRASES a trifle a little; somewhat : his methods are a trifle eccentric. DERIVATIVES trifler |-f(ə)lər| noun ORIGIN Middle English (also denoting an idle story told to deceive or amuse): from Old French trufle, by-form of trufe ‘deceit,’ of unknown origin. The verb derives from Old French truffler ‘mock, deceive.’

Thesaurus
trifling adjective a trifling matter trivial, unimportant, insignificant, inconsequential, petty, minor, of little/no account, of little/no consequence, footling, pettifogging, incidental; silly, idle, insipid, superficial, small, tiny, inconsiderable, nominal, negligible, nugatory; informal piddling; formal exiguous. antonym important.

Answer 6

Trifling = of slight worth or importance

Answer 7

yes trifling is definitely a word and it means " having little importance"

Answer 8

It's a real word, tho somewhat archaic.
1. Of slight worth or importance. See Synonyms at trivial.
2. Frivolous or idle.
-MM

Answer 9

Sadly, yes. It has been adopted as ghetto slang but it does mean, "of little value."

Consider 18th century literature commonly using the term "a trifle" to indicate something of little worth. There are numerous examples out there....

Answer 10

yes it is, according to dictionary.com:

–verb (used without object)
9. to deal lightly or without due seriousness or respect: Don't trifle with me!
10. to play or toy by handling or fingering: He sat trifling with a pen.
11. to act or talk in an idle or frivolous way.
12. to pass time idly or frivolously; waste time; idle.
–verb (used with object)
13. to pass or spend (time) idly or frivolously (usually fol. by away).