trivia

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "trivia" is an acceptable and commonly used word in written English.
Generally, you can use it to refer to small pieces of information or knowledge that are often seen as trivial or unimportant. For example: "Most people wouldn't have a clue what the capital of Madagascar is, but I'm full of random trivia!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The games are a mixture of trivia questions and other puzzles: fans will love it.

The Guardian - Tech

See also: Trees Lounge, Cheech And Chong's Nice Dreams, Comfort And Joy Don't see also: Phantasm Pointless trivia: Chloe Sevigny acted as costume designer on her then boyfriend Harmony Korine's Gummo (1997).

The Guardian - Film

If you enjoy trivia, you will love this.

The Guardian - Sport

See also: Happiness, Abigail's Party, Edward Scissorhands Don't see also: Suburbia Pointless trivia: Kevin Spacey took his mother to the 1996 Academy Awards (where he won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for The Usual Suspects).

The Guardian - Film

Similarly, folk rock fan-turned-journalist-cum-PR-turned-biographer Mick Houghton takes as his subject Sandy Denny, leading light of the British folk-rock movement of the late 1960s and – trivia alert – the only guest vocalist ever to record with Led Zeppelin.

The Guardian - Film

There's a trivia game online: "Name three films that don't feature Richard Jenkins".

The Guardian - Film

Richard Gott writes (Letters, 4 November) of the BBC World Service that "the English-language service has been replaced by a 24-hour diet of trivia and endless sport, with an almost total absence of expert analysis".

The Guardian

And maybe we can start on English football itself, with its wasted riches, its trivia obsession, its proud and diligent philistinism.

The Guardian - Sport

You've got a crush on him!" See also: The Belles of St Trinians Don't see also: Sister Act 2 - Back In The Habit Pointless trivia: Before her birth in 1982, Thora Birch's parents planned to have a son named Thor.

The Guardian - Film

So much for trivia".

The Guardian

Doesn't the sheer length of the campaign encourage people to fixate on trivia (with just a few days to go, the current obsession is Sarah Palin's $150,000 wardrobe)?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "trivia", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you are referring to unimportant facts, a quiz game, or a specific type of question. Avoid using it in formal contexts where precision and depth are expected.

Common error

Avoid using "trivia" when you mean general unimportant issues. "Trivia" refers to specific unimportant facts, whereas "trivialities" refers to unimportant matters or details.

Linguistic Context

The word "trivia" primarily functions as a noun, referring to insignificant or little-known facts. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is also used to describe a quiz game format centered around such facts. The provided examples demonstrate its usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

10%

Social Media

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "trivia" functions primarily as a noun denoting insignificant or little-known facts, often used in quizzes or games. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English. Its usage spans from informal settings to more formal contexts like news articles and encyclopedias, though more precise terms might be favored in strictly academic or professional writing. Common alternatives include "trivial matters" and "obscure details". Be mindful of the distinction between "trivia" (specific facts) and "trivialities" (general unimportant matters) to ensure accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

trivial matters

Focuses on the insignificance of the subjects discussed.

insignificant details

Directly states the lack of importance of the information.

minor details

Emphasizes the small scale and unimportance of the information.

unimportant facts

Highlights the lack of significance of the information.

obscure details

Implies the information is not well-known or easily accessible.

little-known facts

Stresses the rarity of the knowledge.

quiz questions

Connects the term to a game or test of knowledge.

minute particulars

Highlights extreme precision in the information.

random facts

Emphasizes the lack of a specific pattern or relevance.

superficial knowledge

Indicates a lack of depth or real understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "trivia" in a sentence?

You can use "trivia" to refer to unimportant facts, as in "The article was full of interesting historical trivia". You can also use it to describe a quiz game, such as "We played a round of movie trivia".

What's a good alternative to the word "trivia"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "trivial matters", "minor details", or "obscure details".

Is it appropriate to use "trivia" in formal writing?

While "trivia" is widely understood, it may be more appropriate to use more precise terms like "specific details" or "lesser-known facts" in formal writing to maintain a tone of seriousness and depth.

What is the difference between "trivia" and "trivialities"?

"Trivia" refers to specific pieces of unimportant information, while "trivialities" refers to general unimportant matters or details. For example, collecting "trivia" is a hobby, dealing with "trivialities" is often a nuisance.