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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Little Fires Everywhere
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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:
The vulgar kitsch of “The Housemaid” is its silly secret weapon, and it’s Seyfried who stays reloading the ammunition, making sure that this hefty dose of frivolity is as unforgettable as its conventionally prestigious contemporaries.
From Salon ● Jan. 31, 2026
Mixing humour and politics - a tactic social scientists call "tactical frivolity" - is not new.
From BBC ● Dec. 27, 2025
Meanwhile, fashion—that is, clothing that changes for the sake of change—became associated with frivolity and femininity.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 28, 2025
But if Gannett goes the way of Disney and settles this, the frivolity will only deepen.
From Slate ● Dec. 21, 2024
The mother looked young, and the daughter looked old; the mother’s complexion was pink, and the daughter’s was yellow; the mother set up for frivolity, and the daughter for theology.
From "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens
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
He had become famous as a sophist and rhetorician, skilled in the laborious frivolities of the profession.
From History of European Morals From Augustus to Charlemagne (Vol. 1 of 2) by William Edward Hartpole Lecky
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.
