WordGarden.ionontrivial
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /ˌnɒnˈtrɪ.vi.əl/adjective
US
Meanings
Adjective
not simple or easy; requiring real thought, effort, or analysis
not minor or negligible; substantial enough to matter
in mathematics and technical work, not obvious, vacuous, zero, or merely formal
Beyond the definition
"Nontrivial" does not mean unimportant. In fact, it usually means the opposite. It describes something that is not simple, obvious, or easy to deal with. Think of a math problem. A trivial problem might be , clear and straightforward. But a nontrivial problem takes thought, effort, and maybe even a clever solution.
It is often used in technical fields like mathematics or computer science for something that is not immediately obvious or easily solved. But you can also use it more broadly. A "nontrivial decision" is one with real consequences, not just a simple choice between tea or coffee. A "nontrivial amount of effort" means real work, not a quick task. The word often suggests both complexity and importance.
The word "nontrivial" describes something that isn't simple, obvious, or easily dismissed. It suggests a level of complexity, significance, or difficulty beyond the commonplace. While it often appears in technical contexts like mathematics, computer science, and engineering, its meaning extends to everyday language as well.
In math, a "trivial solution" is an uninteresting one—usually zero. A nontrivial solution is anything else, something that actually reveals information or requires effort to find. Similarly, in programming, a trivial program might just print "Hello World," while a nontrivial program solves a real-world problem.
But you do not need to be a scientist to use "nontrivial." You might describe a project as having "nontrivial challenges," meaning it will require significant effort and ingenuity. A "nontrivial amount of money" is not pocket change; it represents a substantial sum. A "nontrivial impact" means something has a real, noticeable effect.
The key idea is that "nontrivial" signals that something deserves attention because it is not superficial or easily handled. It implies depth, consequence, and the need for careful consideration. In many cases, it helps you show that something is more serious, more involved, or more meaningful than it may first appear.
Examples
- 1
Software work
Adding a search box sounds easy, but making it fast is nontrivial.
- 2
Repair cost
The repair will require a nontrivial amount of time and money.
- 3
Legal differences
There are nontrivial differences between the two versions of the contract.
- 4
Policy analysis
It is nontrivial to measure how much the new policy helped.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Math solution
The team found a nontrivial solution to the equation after checking the obvious one.
- Domain
in math, a nontrivial solution is not the simplest or zero solution
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- nontrivial problem
- nontrivial amount
- nontrivial solution
Word family
- nontrivially
- nontriviality
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Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- nontrivialadjective