flippant
[flip-uh nt]
- frivolously disrespectful, shallow, or lacking in seriousness; characterized by levity: The audience was shocked by his flippant remarks about patriotism.
- Chiefly Dialect. nimble, limber, or pliant.
- Archaic. glib; voluble.
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Origin of flippant
Synonyms
See more synonyms for flippant on Thesaurus.com1. saucy, impertinent, impudent.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for flippant
Contemporary Examples
When the editor of Outside magazine, Alex Heard, tweeted that I had made an ass of myself, my response was arrogant and flippant.
Ali Gharib said after the fact that he realized the comments were flippant and irresponsible.
He seems implacably bespectacled—admonitory even in his flippant asides.
Historical Examples
She turned away instantly, with a flippant lift and drop of both hands.
Alice AdamsBooth Tarkington
It was a flippant, vulgar book, the outcome of a flippant, vulgar mind.
Changing WindsSt. John G. Ervine
The captain was, in his opinion, altogether too flippant and jolly.
Cap'n Warren's WardsJoseph C. Lincoln
"Then leave it to Him," was the flippant answer; and Joseph drained his glass.
The Tavern KnightRafael Sabatini
Every one laughed at his jokes, but to me they seemed superficial and flippant.
MelomaniacsJames Huneker
flippant
- marked by inappropriate levity; frivolous or offhand
- impertinent; saucy
- obsolete talkative or nimble
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Word Origin
C17: perhaps from flip
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for flippant
adj.
c.1600, "talkative;" 1670s, "displaying unbecoming levity," apparently an extended form of flip (v.). Shortened form flip is attested from 1847. Related: Flippantly.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper