frivol

[ friv-uhl ]

See synonyms for: frivol frivoling on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object),friv·oled, friv·ol·ing or (especially British) friv·olled, friv·ol·ling.

to behave frivolously; trifle.

verb (used with object),friv·oled, friv·ol·ing or (especially British) friv·olled, friv·ol·ling.

to spend frivolously (usually followed by away): to frivol away one's time.

Origin of frivol

First recorded in 1865–70; back formation from frivolous

Other words from frivol

friv·ol·er; especially British, friv·ol·ler, noun

Words Nearby frivol

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use frivol in a sentence

Then you wouldn't let me practice; you told me to frivol, I remember.
The Four Corners Abroad | Amy Ella Blanchard
That's Mademoiselle frivol, and she's appearin' in a new character.
The Guinea Stamp | Annie S. Swan
So frivolous time wore on, and Barty found it pleasant to frivol in such pleasant company—very pleasant indeed!
The Martian | George Du Maurier
They frivol en masse, and to do it they naturally choose the sea-beach as a habitat.
Across America by Motor-cycle | C. K. Shepherd
Of course, I like sensible conversation; one feels humiliated if a man does nothing but frivol, but there is a happy medium.
The Heart of Una Sackville | Mrs. George de Horne Vaizey

British Dictionary definitions for frivol

frivol

/ (ˈfrɪvəl) /

verb-ols, -olling or -olled or US -ols, -oling or -oled informal

(intr) to behave frivolously; trifle
(tr often foll by away) to waste on frivolous pursuits

Origin of frivol

C19: back formation from frivolous

Derived forms of frivol

frivoller or US frivoler, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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