frivolous
[friv-uh-luh s]
- characterized by lack of seriousness or sense: frivolous conduct.
- self-indulgently carefree; unconcerned about or lacking any serious purpose.
- (of a person) given to trifling or undue levity: a frivolous, empty-headed person.
- of little or no weight, worth, or importance; not worthy of serious notice: a frivolous suggestion.
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Origin of frivolous
Synonyms
See more synonyms for frivolous on Thesaurus.com3. idle, silly, foolish, childish, puerile. 4. light, trifling, petty, paltry, trivial, flimsy.
Antonyms
3. serious. 4. weighty.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for frivolous
Contemporary Examples
In Northanger Abbey, Jane Austen defends the novel against critics who dismiss it as frivolous and feminine.
The 1996 filing (which you can check out here) was, naturally, as silly and frivolous as the boycott push that came before it.
Mizell called the Justice Department “arrogant” for bringing this frivolous case to the court.
Honoring The Late John Doar, A Nearly Forgotten Hero Of The Civil Rights EraGary May
November 15, 2014
“This is silly in its context but serious in its purpose, it is not frivolous,” Pelosi says.
Blogging is a lifestyle agenda that can pay the bills, it becomes a serious business of frivolous things.
Historical Examples
He is a gay, light, frivolous young fellow, and will only smile in your face.
Tanglewood TalesNathaniel Hawthorne
But her son,—her son was the great object of all her thoughts, serious or frivolous.
Tales And Novels, Volume 5 (of 10)Maria Edgeworth
Frivolous you are, and love to be, undoubtedly; but you must have some heart.'
Life And Adventures Of Martin ChuzzlewitCharles Dickens
And if you only knew how ignorant and frivolous these women are, despite all their conceit!
The Three Cities Trilogy, CompleteEmile Zola
But then you always were rather—well, frivolous, weren't you?
Roden's CornerHenry Seton Merriman
frivolous
- not serious or sensible in content, attitude, or behaviour; sillya frivolous remark
- unworthy of serious or sensible treatment; unimportantfrivolous details
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Word Origin
C15: from Latin frīvolus silly, worthless
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for frivolous
adj.
mid-15c., from Latin frivolus "silly, empty, trifling, worthless, brittle," diminutive of *frivos "broken, crumbled," from friare "break, rub away, crumble." Related: Frivolously; frivolousness.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper