Definitions
- Describing something that is unimportant or insignificant. - Referring to a small amount or quantity of something. - Talking about a situation or problem that is not serious or significant.
- Describing something that is minor or trivial. - Referring to a person who is concerned with small and unimportant matters. - Talking about a situation or problem that is not significant but causes unnecessary annoyance or frustration.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe things that are small or insignificant.
- 2Both words can be used to describe problems or situations that are not serious.
- 3Both words have negative connotations.
- 4Both words can be used to describe people who are overly concerned with small matters.
What is the difference?
- 1Scope: Trifling refers to things that are small in size or quantity, while petty can refer to things that are small or unimportant in nature.
- 2Intention: Trifling implies that something is unimportant or insignificant, while petty implies that something is small and unimportant but still causes annoyance or frustration.
- 3Usage: Trifling is more commonly used to describe things, while petty is more commonly used to describe people or their behavior.
- 4Severity: Petty has a stronger negative connotation than trifling, implying that something is not only small but also unnecessary or trivial.
- 5Context: Trifling is often used in a neutral or objective context, while petty is often used in a negative or critical context.
Remember this!
Trifling and petty are synonyms that both describe things that are small or insignificant. However, trifling refers to things that are unimportant or insignificant, while petty implies that something is small and unimportant but still causes annoyance or frustration. Additionally, trifling is more commonly used to describe things, while petty is more commonly used to describe people or their behavior.
