frivolity
Americannoun
-
the quality or state of being frivolous.
the frivolity of Mardi Gras.
- Synonyms:
- foolishness, levity, abandon, triviality, irresponsibility, self-indulgence
-
a frivolous act or thing.
It was a frivolity he had a hard time living down.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of frivolity
From the French word frivolité, dating back to 1790–1800. See frivolous, -ity
Explanation
Frivolity is a type of clownishness or silliness. Frivolity is the opposite of getting down to business in a serious way. If people are running around a classroom, throwing things, and laughing, the teacher might say, "Why all the frivolity?" This is a word for clowning or horsing around — not being serious. There's a happy flavor to this word. Giggling when you should be listening could be considered frivolity. Also, anything that's insignificant is a type of frivolity, as in "That's nothing! Just a bit of frivolity!"
Vocabulary lists containing frivolity
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Frivolity only gets a team so far, though.
From BBC • Nov. 18, 2024
Frivolity and frills surely have their place, and sometimes we need a break from the daily assault of bad news.
From Washington Post • Sep. 14, 2021
Frivolity and artifice would have to await the 1950s to stage their wholesale comeback.
From The Guardian • Mar. 28, 2018
Make the Moment returned $4.50 and $2.70 while Frivolity paid $2.80 to show.
From Washington Times • Nov. 26, 2014
Yes," she said, "a box at the Frivolity wouldn't do for me now, would it?
From Here and Hereafter by Pain, Barry
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
