adjective

trivial

TRIHV-ee-uhl

adjective

Of little importance or significance.

"Don't waste time arguing over such a trivial detail."

"It seemed like a trivial mistake at first, but it caused real problems."

Very easy; requiring little effort or skill.

"For an expert programmer, fixing that bug was trivial."

How to Use Trivial

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishUnimportant, minor, or (in a different sense) very simple to do.

Common pairings

a trivial matter trivial detail far from trivial

more trivial comparative, trivials plural, most trivial superlative

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Don't waste time arguing over such a _____ detail.

From Latin triviālis, "commonplace," from trivium ("crossroads") — the same root as "trivia."

nontrivial important significant radical fundamental

good light important negligible historic radical significant excellent

dial vial trial aerial serial filial denial medial racial social burial facial

nontrivial important significant radical fundamental good light negligible historic excellent