frivolity
Americannoun
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frivolities
plural
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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
Persepolis
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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:
Instead, like a still condensing sugar-saturated slop into a refined liquor, this downsizing concentrates the force of his images, shifting the mood from one of frivolity to seriousness.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 9, 2026
The media’s historical focus on higher-profile candidates and outsiders may reflect not press frivolity but rather genuine shifts in voter sentiment during periods of discontent with conventional politicians and established governance approaches.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 4, 2026
Kylie is the biggest challenger for Christmas number one, with this sparkly bauble of pop frivolity.
From BBC ● Dec. 6, 2025
It’s been a tough morning on all of us, her supervisor sighs, “and I thought a little frivolity would be just what the doctor ordered.”
From Salon ● Jan. 18, 2025
Suddenly, Dedd feels foolish, caught in her frivolity as if she were a kitten knotted in yam.
From "In the Time of the Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez
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
Yet it’s often the case — now as then — that expressions of personal style among serious people are deemed frivolities.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 21, 2023
I suppose your cousin never indulges in frivolities like this.
From Brenda's Bargain A Story for Girls by Helen Leah Reed
Definitions 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.
