Cool MateOf no importance vs Trivial
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Of no importance
Top 3,000 (common)
Trivial
Top 3,000 (common)
| Of no importance | Trivial | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɒv nəʊ ɪmˈpɔːtəns//🇺🇸 //ʌv noʊ ɪmˈpɔrtəns// | 🇬🇧 //ˈtrɪv.ɪ.əl//🇺🇸 //ˈtrɪv.i.əl// |
| Meaning | Not important at all. | Not very important or significant. |
| Example | The details of the event are of no importance to the overall outcome. | The argument over which restaurant to choose was pretty trivial. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| Collocations | considered of no importance, regarded as of no importance, matters of no importance | trivial matter, trivial task, trivial pursuit, trivial details |
| Common mistakes | Using it in overly serious situations, where a more respectful phrase is required., Confusing it with 'of little importance', which implies more significance., Overusing it in negative contexts, making it sound dismissive. | Confused with 'trivialize' which means to make something seem less important., Using 'trivial' to describe serious matters., Mixing up 'trivial' with 'insignificant' - while similar, they aren't always interchangeable. |
| Usage notes | Use in a context where something does not matter or isn’t significant. It's polite, but can sound dismissive in certain contexts. | Use 'trivial' to describe something that lacks importance. It's appropriate for casual conversations and formal writing, but avoid it in highly sensitive contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Of no importance vs Trivial
What's the difference between Of no importance and Trivial?
Of no importance: Not important at all. Trivial: Not very important or significant.
Can you show an example of each?
Of no importance: The details of the event are of no importance to the overall outcome. Trivial: The argument over which restaurant to choose was pretty trivial.
Can I use Of no importance and Trivial interchangeably?
Not always. Of no importance and Trivial are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.