noun
bagatelle
bag-uh-TEL/ˌbæɡəˈtel/
Something light and of little consequence.
The flimsy one-cent trinket is a mere bagatelle.
Etymology
French bagatelle meant a knick-knack or trinket—a small object regarded as a trifle. The English sense extends that idea to anything of little value or importance.
More examples
- The pianist opened with a short bagatelle by Beethoven.
- To her, the minor delay was a bagatelle.
- Several delicate bagatelles completed the evening's recital.
Forms
bagatelle · bagatelles