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:
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
There were few awards in fields of frivol: Oscars, Tonys, Grammys didn't exist.
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
"Cork all that frivol, old man, till you see me at tea," said Jack, moving into Biffen's yard.
From Acton's Feud A Public School Story by Frederick Swainson
I thought 41 I would study some in Philadelphia, but goodness me, there wasn’t a minute’s time to do anything but frivol.
From Patty's Summer Days by Carolyn Wells
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
But the other men made them first, you see, and I've just frivoled and played.
From Glory of Youth by Henry Hutt
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
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
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
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
He was rather Near when it came to frivoling away the National Bank Lithographs.
From More Fables by George Ade
Prue was the locust, frivoling away the summer.
From In a Little Town by Rupert Hughes
As they sat toying and frivoling behind the curtains of the wide living room in the Nesbit home, they saw Grant Adams’s big, awkward 509figure hurrying across the lawn.
From In the Heart of a Fool by William Allen White
"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
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
“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
Going, gadding, frivolling, flirting—that was the old Harvey.
From What's-His-Name by Harrison Fisher
She had a way of making the frivolling talk of the supper table appear a warrantable substitute for the things that Peter knew, even while he echoed her phrases, that he wasn't getting.
From The Lovely Lady by Gordon Grant
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