frivol
Americanverb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
verb
-
(intr) to behave frivolously; trifle
-
to waste on frivolous pursuits
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of frivol
First recorded in 1865–70; back formation from frivolous
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.
See Examples For:
There were few awards in fields of frivol: Oscars, Tonys, Grammys didn't exist.
From Time Magazine Archive
For his present visit, Gielgud apparently questioned the importance of being earnest: he would frivol first in Wilde's classic farce, later in Congreve's Restoration comedy, Love for Love.
From Time Magazine Archive
He only signaled to another guard—this one taller and older—who said, “Step aside, please, or we’ll have to arrest you. This is not a place to frivol with.”
From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell
“But thee must let Peggy frivol a little,” protested Sally.
From Peggy Owen Patriot A Story for Girls by Lucy Foster Madison
"I'm just going to frivol, Nicholas, I am tired of work."
From Man and Maid by Elinor Glyn
But the other men made them first, you see, and I've just frivoled and played.
From Glory of Youth by Henry Hutt
Where he had doubted, he was now convinced; where he had frivoled, he was in deep, intense earnest; the fact that there would be certain difficulties to overcome only seemed to strengthen the inward determination.
From Flaming June by A. Gilbert
Though, under the surface, life upon Blue Lake ranch was sufficiently tense, the remaining days of June frivoled by as bright and bonny as the little meadow-blues flirting with the field-flowers.
From Judith of Blue Lake Ranch by Jackson Gregory
She sneered at his ills, And quadrupled his bills, And spent nearly twice what he earned; Her husband deserted, And frivoled, and flirted, Till Ferdinand’s reason was turned.
From Grimm Tales Made Gay by Albert Levering
To him, life is a boon, a privilege, an investment, an opportunity, a responsibility, and, therefore, a gift too precious to be squandered or frivoled away.
From The Reconstructed School by Francis B. Pearson
Falstaff, still the boon companion of the errant, frivoling Prince Hal, swaggers and swills in rich midsummer plenty.
From Time Magazine Archive
Perhaps this was intended to stifle persistent rumors of a rift between General Weygand and the Vichy Government, for otherwise it did not seem like the week for Vichymen to go frivoling.
From Time Magazine Archive
Howsomever, he had a head that could do plain thinking, a pair of shoulders that discouraged frivoling, and he was as square a piece of furniture as ever came out of a factory.
From Red Saunders His Adventures West & East by Henry Wallace Phillips
Prue was the locust, frivoling away the summer.
From In a Little Town by Rupert Hughes
Only occasionally I look forward to the time when I shall be an angel frivoling in the eternal blue!
From The Lady of the Decoration by Frances Little
"If I have frivolled enough, it's about time you said something."
From Out of the Primitive by Robert Ames Bennet
He asked her all about herself, where she lived, if she got up early, if she was busy, if she frivolled, and arrived at a mental summary of her circumstances.
From Married Life The True Romance by May Edginton
He felt it utterly unfair that she should sit alone by an empty hearth while he and Jean frivolled.
From The Tin Soldier by Temple Bailey
“Stop frivolling, and let me get to my point!” commanded Raymonde.
From The Madcap of the School by Balliol Salmon
Yachting on the Mediterranean, or frivolling on the Riviera.
From A Safety Match by Ian Hay
I suppose you think I have no right to be frivolling in these very serious times, but I am afraid I am rather an offender when the humour takes me.
From Nobody's Man by E. Phillips (Edward Phillips) Oppenheim
Going, gadding, frivolling, flirting—that was the old Harvey.
From What's-His-Name by Harrison Fisher
I don't think there seemed to be any real harm in that sort of frivolling.
From Miss Million's Maid A Romance of Love and Fortune by Mrs. Oliver Onions
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