frivolous
Americanadjective
-
characterized by lack of seriousness or sense.
frivolous conduct.
-
self-indulgently carefree; unconcerned about or lacking any serious purpose.
-
(of a person) given to trifling or undue levity.
a frivolous, empty-headed person.
- Antonyms:
- serious
-
of little or no weight, worth, or importance; not worthy of serious notice.
a frivolous suggestion.
- Antonyms:
- weighty
adjective
-
not serious or sensible in content, attitude, or behaviour; silly
a frivolous remark
-
unworthy of serious or sensible treatment; unimportant
frivolous details
Other Word Forms
- frivolously adverb
- frivolousness noun
- unfrivolous adjective
- unfrivolousness noun
Etymology
Origin of frivolous
First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Latin frīvolus “worthless, trifling”; see -ous
Explanation
Frivolous things are silly or unnecessary. If something is frivolous, then you don't need it. Frivolous things are goofy, useless, or just plain dumb. The word is often used to describe lawsuits. A frivolous lawsuit has no value and will be a waste of the court's time. If someone is frivolous, that person shouldn't be taken seriously because he's always fooling around and never gets anything done. Frivolous is pretty much the opposite of essential.
Vocabulary lists containing frivolous
Grade 10, List 1
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"The Monkey's Paw," Vocabulary from the short story
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Little Women
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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.
This is the same logic that made frivolous defamation suits useful tools of intimidation for decades.
From Salon • Apr. 23, 2026
These products often look frivolous from the outside, but they sit inside a broader ecosystem of monetizable attachment.
From Barron's • Apr. 11, 2026
Most legal analysts viewed the case as frivolous.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2026
In an era when “affordability” has become a buzzword, consumers are cautious about spending — and buying items that could be deemed frivolous may make less sense to them.
From MarketWatch • Feb. 13, 2026
His gifts were never frivolous or the result of Saturday morning cartoon advertising, but thoughtful and delightful.
From "Forged by Fire" by Sharon M. Draper
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.
