piffling

American  

[pif-ling] / ˈpɪf lɪŋ /

adjective

1. of little worth; trifling; piddling.

   piffling efforts.

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piffling British  

/ ˈpɪflɪŋ /

adjective

1. worthless, trivial

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Etymology

Origin of piffling

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

Example Sentences

Yet it went ignored while Sly Stallone’s piffling King Lear act in the mediocre Creed is hailed like the second coming.

From Slate • Jan. 4, 2016

There is even a tiny one – a piffling four million times as massive as the Sun – at the heart of the Milky Way, the galaxy we call home.

From The Guardian • Dec. 12, 2012

British MPs sold their reputations for a piffling return—one MP submitted a claim for a hot drink he had bought in the House of Commons tearoom.

From Scientific American • Dec. 9, 2011

He found those with a lower base level of the hormone tended to prefer immediate payment, even when the sum in question was piffling compared with the promised future compensation.

From Economist • Sep. 23, 2010

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

From "The Unfinished Angel" by Sharon Creech