Skip to content

bagatelle

trifle; trivial matter

noun bah-gah-TEL Rare

Origin: Italian bagatella, diminutive of Medieval Latin baga 'bundle'.

Usage Note

Bagatelle dismisses something as unimportant: ce n'est qu'une bagatelle (it's a mere trifle). It can also refer to a small sum of money spent casually. In music, a bagatelle is a short, light composition — Beethoven's Bagatelles are well-known examples.

Examples

"Ne te préoccupe pas, c'est une bagatelle."

Natural Translation

Don't worry, it's a trifle.

Explore French by topic