inconsequential

Everyday

Not important; too small to matter. tree →

In the lessons

In formal writing and stories it tells the reader that a detail does not matter: «an inconsequential remark». In science and maths it can describe a tiny difference that makes no real change. Phrases: inconsequential details, an inconsequential mistake.

Examples

• Don't worry about the inconsequential details; focus on the main idea. tree →
• The scratch on the car was inconsequential. tree →
• They chatted about inconsequential things like the weather. tree →
• The difference of one gram is inconsequential in this recipe. tree →
• What seemed an inconsequential choice changed the whole story. tree →
• Her mistake was inconsequential and did not affect the result. tree →

Note

Formal. Opposite: important, significant, consequential. From «consequence» with the prefix in- (not). Similar: trivial, minor, unimportant.