WordGarden.iotrivia
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /trˈɪviə/
US
- /ˈtrɪviə/
Meanings
Noun
little-known or amusing facts about a subject
a quiz game or contest based on answering factual questions
unimportant details or matters taken collectively
Beyond the definition
Trivia is not about the big, important stuff. It is about small, often unimportant bits of information that stay in your head. Think of it as little facts collected for fun. It can be anything from the capital of Burkina Faso to who sang a hit song in 1987. Trivia often comes up in pub quizzes or game shows where people test how much of this kind of information they know. A "trivia buff" is someone who loves collecting and sharing it. Sometimes, "trivia" can also mean something insignificant, as in, "Don't bother me with such trivia!"
The word "trivia" comes from a Latin word linked to a public meeting place, and over time it came to refer to small, unimportant details. Today, "trivia" most commonly means bits of information that are interesting but not essential, things people often learn just for fun.
You'll often encounter trivia in the form of quizzes, games like Trivial Pursuit, or as a regular feature at bars and pubs (often called "Trivia Night"). These events test participants' knowledge across a wide range of subjects, from history and science to pop culture and sports. A person who enjoys collecting and sharing trivial facts is known as a "trivia enthusiast" or "trivia buff."
However, "trivia" can also be used more generally to describe something insignificant or unimportant. If someone asks you for details about your day that don't really matter, you might dismiss them by saying, "That's just trivia."
So whether it's a fun game of knowledge, a collection of quirky facts, or simply unimportant details, "trivia" is all about the little things—those bits and pieces that add color to our world, even if they don't change it.
Examples
- 1
Movie knowledge
She knows a lot of movie trivia, especially about old Hollywood films.
- 2
Pub quiz
We came second in the pub trivia quiz last night.
- 3
Social event
Friday is trivia night at the cafe, so it gets busy after work.
- Phrasetrivia night
an evening when people play a quiz game
- 4
Music documentary
The documentary is full of interesting bits of trivia about the band.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Main point
Don't get lost in the trivia; just tell me the main point.
- Phraseget lost in the trivia
spend too much attention on small, less important details
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- trivianoun