flippant

[flip-uhnt]

adjective

1. frivolously disrespectful, shallow, or lacking in seriousness; characterized by levity.

   The audience was shocked by his flippant remarks about patriotism.

   Synonyms: impudent, impertinent, saucy

2. Chiefly Dialect.,  nimble, limber, or pliant.

3. Archaic.,  glib; voluble.

flippant

/ ˈflɪpənt /

adjective

1. marked by inappropriate levity; frivolous or offhand

2. impertinent; saucy

3. obsolete,  talkative or nimble

Other Word Forms

• flippancy noun
• flippantness noun
• flippantly adverb
• unflippant adjective
• unflippantly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of flippant¹

1595–1605; apparently flip ¹ + -ant

Word History and Origins

Origin of flippant¹

C17: perhaps from _flip

Example Sentences

And his version of the Russian literary masterpiece - which starts with the phrase "bloody hell" - is about being flippant and irreverent.

Read more on BBC

Responding to the flippant nature of his previous response, Isaac noted how seemingly obnoxious that quote sounded.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

By refusing to commit to a disquieting atmosphere, Cregger dulls his provocation, making “Weapons” feel timid, even flippant, in the face of a genuine American crisis.

Read more on Salon

While this may seem flippant ,"People experience and understand politics through the content they share online", Sarkar says.

Read more on BBC

Then a flippant comment, it now sums up the fear in both Washington and Beijing: "Don't become a spy."

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Related Words

• cheeky 
• cocky 
• disrespectful 
• glib 
• offhand 
• playful 
• rude