Basic Details
Word: Trivial
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Something that is not important or significant.
Synonyms: Minor, insignificant, unimportant
Antonyms: Significant, important, essential
Idioms and Phrases
- Make a mountain out of a molehill: To exaggerate a trivial matter and make it seem more significant than it is. Example: "She made a mountain out of a molehill when her pencil broke during the test."
- Don't sweat the small stuff: Don't worry about trivial things; instead, focus on the important matters. Example: "When planning the party, remember to have fun and dont sweat the small stuff like the colour of the napkins."
Usage Examples
Example 1: Although the topic seemed trivial, it led to a surprisingly interesting discussion in class.
Example 2: He realised that worrying about trivial details would not help him succeed in his project.
Example 3: The teacher reminded the students that their effort, no matter how trivial, contributed to the group project.
Fun Fact
The word "trivial" comes from the Latin term "trivialis," which means "belonging to the crossroads." In ancient times, crossroads were places where people from different areas would meet and often share mundane or unimportant information hence the term evolved to describe something of little importance.
Famous Quote
"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." Leonardo da Vinci. This reflects the idea that trivial details can sometimes complicate matters rather than simplify them.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "trivial" mean?
a) Very important
b) Not important
c) Very large
d) Very unusual
Answer: b) Not important
2. Which of these is a synonym of "trivial"?
a) Insignificant
b) Critical
c) Notable
d) Essential
Answer: a) Insignificant
3. What is an antonym of "trivial"?
a) Minor
b) Unimportant
c) Significant
d) Negligible
Answer: c) Significant
4. Which sentence uses "trivial" correctly?
a) The trivial signpost guided us to the correct road.
b) His trivial decisions changed the world.
c) She found it trivial to forget her keys.
d) The discussion about the weather was trivial compared to the main topic.
Answer: d) The discussion about the weather was trivial compared to the main topic.
5. Which idiom relates to the idea of "trivial"?
a) Make a mountain out of a molehill
b) Jumping on the bandwagon
c) A stitch in time
d) A penny for your thoughts
Answer: a) Make a mountain out of a molehill
