flippant

[flip-uhnt]

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adjective

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.

Nearby words

Origin of flippant

1595–1605; apparently flip¹ + -ant

SYNONYMS FOR flippant

1. saucy, impertinent, impudent.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR flippant ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formsflip·pan·cy, flip·pant·ness, nounflip·pant·ly, adverbun·flip·pant, adjectiveun·flip·pant·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for flippantly

"Look out for the copyright laws," said Thacker, flippantly.
Options|O. Henry
There was in his face such an impressive solemnity that you felt it would be almost sacrilege to address him flippantly.
The Bishop's Apron|W. Somerset Maugham
"It would take an X-ray to discover them through all that plumpness," put in Dee flippantly.
Tripping with the Tucker Twins|Nell Speed
Terrys answer to her mothers telegram was flippantly worded in an effort to cheer her up.
Gypsies of the Air|Bess Moyer

"Ex nihilo felis fit—a cat-fit for nothing," he retorted, flippantly.
The Gay Rebellion|Robert W. Chambers

British Dictionary definitions for flippantly

flippant

adjective

marked by inappropriate levity; frivolous or offhand

impertinent; saucy

obsolete talkative or nimble

Derived Formsflippancy, nounflippantly, adverb

Word Origin for flippant

C17: perhaps from flip

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

Word Origin and History for flippantly

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.