piffling

[ pif-ling ]

adjective

1. of little worth; trifling; piddling:

   piffling efforts.

piffling

/ ˈpɪflɪŋ /

adjective

1. worthless, trivial

Word History and Origins

Origin of piffling¹

First recorded in 1890–95; piffle + -ing ²

Example Sentences

Brexiteers often summon the memory of Britain’s wartime resilience to indicate that we have what it takes to survive a piffling showdown with the E.U.

From The New Yorker

His method, exemplified in Memphis, is to highlight an emotive crime, then deploy outrage as a dragnet to sweep up piffling, often nonviolent criminals.

From Economist

The piffling toad steps away from her and says, “Non capisco! Ha!”

From Literature

Though it's a piffling amount for most people, will the charge make any difference to our bag use behaviour?

From BBC

In 2012, it dismissed claims that the comet Elenin was on its way to destroy mankind, calling it a “trail of piffling particles”.

From The Guardian