frivolous
Americanadjective
-
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.
- Antonyms:
- serious
-
of little or no weight, worth, or importance; not worthy of serious notice.
a frivolous suggestion.
- Antonyms:
- weighty
adjective
-
not serious or sensible in content, attitude, or behaviour; silly
a frivolous remark
-
unworthy of serious or sensible treatment; unimportant
frivolous details
Other Word Forms
- frivolously adverb
- frivolousness noun
- unfrivolous adjective
- unfrivolousness noun
Etymology
Origin of frivolous
First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Latin frīvolus “worthless, trifling”; -ous
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.
Most legal analysts viewed the case as frivolous.
From Los Angeles Times
In 1974, he founded his own firm specializing in entertainment law, a niche many highbrow Wall Street lawyers dismissed as frivolous at the time.
In an era when “affordability” has become a buzzword, consumers are cautious about spending — and buying items that could be deemed frivolous may make less sense to them.
From MarketWatch
The plaintiffs counter that it’s the city that has prolonged the proceedings by not living up to its agreement and pursuing frivolous appeals, piling up legal bills.
From Los Angeles Times
"So thank you to all of them. It seems such a frivolous word, but yeah, what else can I say?"
From BBC
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.
