trivial
/ˈtɹɪ.vi.əl/
Group 8Difficulty 1/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Of little value or importance GRE
Example in Context
What some dismissed as a trivial procedural matter proved to be the legal foundation upon which the entire case ultimately rested.
Synonyms
unimportantminorpetty
Etymology
Originally referred to simple crossroads, now denotes something of little importance.
- trivium (Latin) — the intersection of three roads
Memory Aid
🎲Sounds like “trivia”
A group of people arguing about which color is better — it’s all TRIVIAL nonsense!
Visual Association
🪙A game show contestant sweating over questions about the color of a pencil — utterly trivial!
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “trivial” mean on the GRE?
trivial (adjective) means “Of little value or importance”. What some dismissed as a trivial procedural matter proved to be the legal foundation upon which the entire case ultimately rested.
How to remember “trivial” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “trivial” sounds like “trivia”. A group of people arguing about which color is better — it’s all TRIVIAL nonsense!
What are synonyms for “trivial”?
Common synonyms: unimportant, minor, petty.