frivolous

[ friv-uh-luhs ]

adjective

1. characterized by lack of seriousness or sense:

   frivolous conduct.

2. self-indulgently carefree; unconcerned about or lacking any serious purpose.
3. (of a person) given to trifling or undue levity:

   a frivolous, empty-headed person.

   Synonyms: foolish, silly, idle, puerile, childish

   Antonyms: serious

4. of little or no weight, worth, or importance; not worthy of serious notice:

   a frivolous suggestion.

   Synonyms: flimsy, trivial, paltry, petty, trifling, light

   Antonyms: weighty

frivolous

/ ˈfrɪvələs; frɪˈvɒlɪtɪ /

adjective

1. not serious or sensible in content, attitude, or behaviour; silly

   a frivolous remark

2. unworthy of serious or sensible treatment; unimportant

   frivolous details

Derived Forms

• ˈfrivolousness, noun
• ˈfrivolously, adverb

Other Words From

• friv·o·lous·ly adverb
• friv·o·lous·ness noun
• un·friv·o·lous adjective
• un·friv·o·lous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of frivolous¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Latin frīvolus “worthless, trifling”; -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of frivolous¹

C15: from Latin frīvolus silly, worthless

Example Sentences

Yet space, to many, feels more frivolous, and thus gets hit harder by critics.

From Time

The lawyers for the Sandy Hook relatives have asked the judge in the case to rule that the proposed deposition of Clinton would be “unnecessary and frivolous.”

From The Daily Beast

These days, AC is starting to sound like a less frivolous choice.

From Washington Post

At its core, Cusack’s argument is that prosecutor-less prosecutions erode one of the major safeguards that protects people — often but not exclusively homeless people — against frivolous criminal cases.

From Voice of San Diego

During those interviews, the two brothers flitted between frivolous family chatter and serious discussion of coronavirus policy.

From Washington Post

In Northanger Abbey, Jane Austen defends the novel against critics who dismiss it as frivolous and feminine.

From The Daily Beast

The 1996 filing (which you can check out here) was, naturally, as silly and frivolous as the boycott push that came before it.

From The Daily Beast

Mizell called the Justice Department “arrogant” for bringing this frivolous case to the court.

From The Daily Beast

“This is silly in its context but serious in its purpose, it is not frivolous,” Pelosi says.

From The Daily Beast

Blogging is a lifestyle agenda that can pay the bills, it becomes a serious business of frivolous things.

From The Daily Beast

Many denounce the system of morning calls as silly, frivolous, and a waste of time.

From Project Gutenberg

Romarino paid a little court to her in his frivolous way; but she did not observe it, or, at all events, took no notice of it.

From Project Gutenberg

If the invention be frivolous or pernicious, the inventor cannot secure for it legal protection.

From Project Gutenberg

I am going to be frivolous, coquette, and imagine myself a girl of the old Southern Set, when there were no new people.

From Project Gutenberg

Scarcely anything has been written against the French Academy, except frivolous and insipid pleasantries.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• foolish
• idiotic
• impractical
• petty
• pointless
• senseless