Meaning of the Word
“Trivial” refers to something that is of little importance or significance. It describes matters that are seen as unimportant, insignificant, or minor in comparison to more serious or substantial issues.
Definitions and Meaning in English
- Of little value or importance; insignificant.
- Concerned with things that are simple, ordinary, or not deserving of much attention.
- Lacking in seriousness or depth, often used to describe unimportant details.
History and Origin
The word “trivial” comes from the Latin trivium, which referred to the three foundational arts of grammar, rhetoric, and logic that were taught in ancient Roman education. These subjects were considered the basic, elementary components of a classical education and were often regarded as less advanced compared to higher disciplines, such as philosophy or science. Over time, the term evolved to mean anything that was basic or insignificant, thus the modern use of “trivial” to describe something of little importance.
Detailed Explanation
“Trivial” is often used to describe something that is inconsequential or not worth much attention. It can refer to details or topics that are perceived as simple or commonplace, with little to no bearing on important decisions or events. The word can be used to downplay the significance of a subject, implying that it does not merit deep thought or serious consideration. For example, trivial matters in a meeting may refer to minor administrative issues, while trivial facts may be those that do not add value to a larger discussion or argument.
Example Sentences
- The debate over the color of the walls seemed trivial compared to the other pressing issues.
- Don’t waste your time on trivial matters when you have bigger tasks to focus on.
- He made a trivial comment about the weather, which didn’t contribute to the conversation.
- The problem was trivial and easily resolved with a simple solution.
- She felt guilty for arguing over such trivial things when there were more serious concerns at hand.
- The trivia questions at the quiz night were mostly trivial facts that didn’t challenge the participants.
- At the end of the meeting, we spent too much time discussing trivial details that didn’t matter.
- He tends to get bogged down in trivial tasks instead of focusing on the important ones.
- The manager asked the team to avoid discussing trivial issues and focus on the project’s goals.
Synonyms with Short Explanations
- Insignificant – Not important or noteworthy, often used interchangeably with trivial to describe something of little value.
- Minor – Small or unimportant in the context of something larger or more significant.
- Petty – Of little importance, often implying that the matter is unnecessarily small or unworthy of attention.
- Negligible – So small or unimportant that it can be safely ignored, similar to trivial.
- Unimportant – Lacking significance or relevance in comparison to other matters.
Related Words with Short Explanations
- Superficial – Concerned only with what is on the surface, often implying something is trivial or lacking depth.
- Frivolous – Lacking seriousness or importance, often used to describe something trivial or unworthy of serious consideration.
- Inconsequential – Not having any significant impact, similar to trivial in describing something unimportant.
- Unremarkable – Not worthy of attention or notice, often used to describe trivial details or features.
- Trifling – Referring to something very small or insignificant, often used to describe trivial matters.
More Matches with Short Explanations
- Futile – Pointless or useless, often used to describe actions that seem trivial due to their lack of result.
- Irrelevant – Not connected to the matter at hand, often implying something trivial or unimportant.
- Laughable – So silly or unimportant that it is almost worthy of mockery, akin to something trivial.
- Unnecessary – Not needed, often used to describe things that are trivial or redundant.
- Mundane – Ordinary or everyday, often used to describe trivial or unexciting things.
Antonyms
- Significant
- Important
- Crucial
- Substantial
- Meaningful
