Synonyms

frivolously

American

[friv-uh-luhs-lee] / ˈfrɪv ə ləs li /

adverb

in a way that is characterized by lack of seriousness, good sense, or any worthwhile purpose.

He had an income comfortable enough that he could spend some of it frivolously and extravagantly.
I'm not asking the question frivolously; I am in earnest.

Other Word Forms

unfrivolously adverb

Etymology

Origin of frivolously

frivolous ( def. ) + -ly

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.

"Sometimes it's weighing the option, so I must ensure I've got money for the bus, but I can't just use it frivolously because I might need it for something else," she said.

From BBC

Where in the past, refunds were considered “free money,” rising costs have forced people to use them less frivolously, and more out of necessity.

From Salon

And please don’t forget our unhoused neighbors who don’t have the option of frivolously complaining about all this.

From Los Angeles Times

Who else did the co-sponsor of the Discouraging Frivolous Lawsuits Act frivolously sue that year?

From Los Angeles Times

It’s a . . . creative metaphor for the dangers of having too much power and wielding it frivolously without fear of the consequences.

From Salon

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023