frivolity
Americannoun
-
frivolities
plural
-
the quality or state of being frivolous.
the frivolity of Mardi Gras.
- Synonyms:
- foolishness, levity, abandon, triviality, irresponsibility, self-indulgence
-
a frivolous act or thing.
It was a frivolity he had a hard time living down.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of frivolity
From the French word frivolité, dating back to 1790–1800. See frivolous, -ity
Explanation
Frivolity is a type of clownishness or silliness. Frivolity is the opposite of getting down to business in a serious way. If people are running around a classroom, throwing things, and laughing, the teacher might say, "Why all the frivolity?" This is a word for clowning or horsing around — not being serious. There's a happy flavor to this word. Giggling when you should be listening could be considered frivolity. Also, anything that's insignificant is a type of frivolity, as in "That's nothing! Just a bit of frivolity!"
Vocabulary lists containing frivolity
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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:
A performance by Bob Hope on a USO Tour is framed the way Mr. Stone might have done it, as a weirdly off-putting episode of frivolity.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2026
Combine that skepticism with social media’s emphasis on personalization, and one witnessed the fall of frivolity in real time.
From Salon ● Sep. 5, 2026
Kylie is the biggest challenger for Christmas number one, with this sparkly bauble of pop frivolity.
From BBC ● Dec. 6, 2025
“Frying the small fish” is a term Delta uses to acknowledge the campy frivolity of some of the topics on her show.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 23, 2025
It spoke to Lefty of jazz-age frivolity, gin cocktails, cigarette girls; it made him slick his hair back with panache . . . while, out in the yard, Desdemona heard the singing and reacted differently.
From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides
Every moment he spends on such frivolities is a missed opportunity to advance his cause.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 11, 2026
The navy did not want its midshipmen wasting their time on such frivolities.
From BBC ● Aug. 8, 2025
In 1431, the ecumenical Council of Basel ordered the deans and rectors of churches to expel "frivolities" and "profane abuses" from holy buildings, but implicitly allowed them to take place in the squares outside.
From Salon ● Dec. 24, 2024
That said, it’s essential to ensure you focus on the things that matter most rather than overspending on frivolities.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 14, 2022
I had contemplated inviting lots of friends down to stay with me, and indulging in all the Yule-tide frivolities and entertainments of the neighbourhood—dances, etc.; but my heart has reproached me too strongly.
From Niece Catherine by Mary Hampden
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
