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.
He is best known for the 1970 novel A World for Julius, which chronicled the frivolous lives of the elite in Peru's capital Lima through the eyes of an orphan.
From BBC • Mar. 10, 2026
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 • Feb. 13, 2026
These laws, which stand for anti–strategic lawsuit against public participation law, or SLAPP, are meant to stop frivolous lawsuits by powerful companies and individuals looking to silence their critics and suppress protected speech.
From Slate • Jan. 16, 2026
The picture would be frivolous except that—somehow—we feel we know this child.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 12, 2025
Unlike the frivolous goings-on in Paris or New York, though, the cabaret style of Weimar Berlin had a deadly serious undertow.
From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall
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.
