frivolity
Americannoun
plural
frivolities-
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.
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
Sabina, who followed her to the cab, heard her tell the man to drive to the box-office of the Frivolity Theatre.
From A Life Sentence A Novel by Sergeant, Adeline
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.
