different between trifling vs skimpy

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?t?a?fli?/

Adjective

trifling (comparative more trifling, superlative most trifling)

1. Trivial, or of little importance.
   • 2005, Plato, Sophist. Translation by Lesley Brown. 234a.

     […] it doesn't take him long to make any of them, and he sells them for some trifling sum of money.

2. Idle or frivolous.
3. (African-American Vernacular) Of suspicious character, typically secretive or deceitful; shady.
   • 2001, Glenda Howard, Cita's World

     My hand was aching to slap that silly heifer. I told her to take her trifling ass down to Burger King and get herself a job flipping burgers […]

Synonyms

• trivial
• inconsequential
• petty
• See also Thesaurus:insignificant

Related terms

• trifle

Translations

Noun

trifling (plural triflings)

1. The act of one who trifles; frivolous behaviour.
   • 1845, George Croly, Samuel Warren, Marston, or the Memoirs of a Statesman

     He writes on the principle, of course, that in one's dotage we are privileged to return to the triflings of our infancy, and that Downing Street cannot be better employed in these days than as a chapel of ease to Eton.

Translations

Verb

trifling

1. present participle of trifle

Anagrams

• filtring, flirting

English

Etymology

From skimp +? -y.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?sk?mpi/
• Rhymes: -?mpi

Adjective

skimpy (comparative skimpier, superlative skimpiest)

1. Small or inadequate; not generous, or of a garment, very small, light, or revealing.

Translations

Noun

skimpy (plural skimpies)

1. (Australia, Western Australia) A barmaid who wears little clothing. [From 1988.]
   • 2000, Australian Journal of Mining, page 2,

     It's a curious mix: weatherworn miners, fresh faced bankers, and a couple of g-stringed skimpies.

   • 2007, Terry Carter, Lara Dunston, Perth & Western Australia, Lonely Planet, page 159,

     For an anthropological experience, the front bar at the Exchange Hotel provides a window into some locals? lives at all hours of the day, with skimpies, TV sports and mine workers chain-drinking.

   • 2010, Kathy Marks, Tears of the Sun, Robert Drewe (editor), The Best Australian Essays 2010, page 239,

     ‘ […] There are thirty-two hotels in Kalgoorlie, and only seven would have skimpies [scantily clad barmaids].’

Derived terms

• skimpy work