OpenSynonym

bagatelle

NOUN

1. A trivial or insignificant thing

Something considered unimportant, insignificant, or too small to deserve serious attention.

1.1. Something of little importance

An issue, matter, or object regarded as trivial or insignificant, especially when compared with something more important.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

  • The minor disagreement was a bagatelle compared with the challenges facing the organization.
  • To the wealthy collector, the purchase price was merely a bagatelle.
  • The inconvenience seemed like a bagatelle in the grand scheme of things.

Related Words

  • frippery
  • fribble
  • naught
  • nought
  • nothingness

1.2. A negligible amount or quantity

A very small amount of money, substance, or something else, considered insignificant in relation to the whole.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

  • The repair cost was a bagatelle compared with the value of the antique.
  • A bagatelle of evidence was all the investigators had found.

Related Words

  • pittance
  • small change
  • small beer
  • peanuts
  • two bits

1.3. Nonsense or worthless talk

Speech, writing, or claims regarded as foolish, meaningless, or lacking substance.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

  • He dismissed the extravagant claims as mere bagatelle and nonsense.
  • The committee had no patience for such bagatelle during serious negotiations.

Related Words

  • folly
  • fribble

NOUN

2. A short, light musical or literary composition

A brief piece of instrumental music or literature, usually light, simple, and playful in character.

2.1. A light musical composition

A short instrumental piece, often written in a light or playful style rather than as a large or serious musical work.

Synonyms

  • trifle

Examples

  • The pianist performed a delicate bagatelle between the longer sonatas.

Related Words

  • musical miniature
  • short composition

NOUN

3. A billiard-like table game

A game played on an oblong table in which balls are struck with a cue and directed toward pockets or arches at one end.

3.1. The traditional bagatelle game

A tabletop game related to billiards, played by striking balls across a rectangular playing surface toward pockets or arches.

Synonyms

Examples

  • The family played bagatelle on an old wooden table at the amusement hall.

Related Words

  • pin bagatelle
  • hit-a-pin bagatelle
  • jaw ball

VERB

4. To regard something as insignificant

To treat or regard something as a trivial matter or as being of little importance.

4.1. Treating something as trivial

Considering or dismissing something as unimportant, insignificant, or undeserving of serious attention.

Synonyms

  • trivialize
  • minimize
  • belittle
  • downplay

Antonyms

Examples

  • It would be unfair to bagatellize the difficulties faced by the affected families.

Related Words