WordGarden.iofrivolity
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /frɪvˈɒlɪti/
US
- /frəˈvɑləti/
Meanings
Noun
the quality or behavior of being silly, lighthearted, or not serious
a trivial or amusing thing, act, or pastime
Beyond the definition
Imagine a summer afternoon filled with bubbles, laughter, and silly games - that gives you the feel of this word. It is not always bad, but it suggests choosing fun and pleasure over serious matters. A little light, playful fun can be a welcome break from stress, but too much of it can make a person seem careless or not serious enough. It carries ideas of lightness, playfulness, and sometimes a small sense of irresponsibility.
Frivolity describes behavior that is lighthearted, playful, and lacking in seriousness or importance. It suggests a focus on pleasure and enjoyment, often at the expense of more practical or weighty concerns. The word comes from the Latin frivolus, meaning "trifling" or "worthless."
While a little frivolity can be charming and even necessary for a balanced life - a silly joke to lighten the mood, a spontaneous dance party - too much of it can be seen as irresponsible or superficial. A politician accused of frivolous spending is being criticized for wasting money on unimportant things. A novel described as "frivolous" might suggest that it is entertaining but lacks depth or substance.
Historically, frivolity was often linked with wealthy or privileged people who seemed detached from the struggles of ordinary life. Think of elaborate parties and extravagant fashion during hard times. Today, frivolity can appear in many forms - a playful online challenge, a silly meme, or simply choosing to spend an afternoon doing something purely for enjoyment.
So, while not inherently negative, frivolity carries the idea of lightness, playfulness, and a possible disregard for more serious matters. It is about embracing the carefree side of life, but also knowing when it is time to be grounded.
Examples
- 1
Workplace morale
After a difficult month, the team welcomed a little frivolity at the Friday lunch.
- 2
Emergency setting
There was no room for frivolity during the emergency meeting.
- 3
Dismissive judgment
He dismissed the whole project as mere frivolity.
- Phraseas mere frivolity
as something not serious or not worth attention
- 4
Serious subjects
Critics said the film treated war with too much frivolity.
- Patterntreat + serious subject with frivolity
deal with it too lightly
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Literary tone
The novel balances grief with brief moments of humor and frivolity.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- an air of frivolity
- a moment of frivolity
- youthful frivolity
- frivolity and fun
Word family
Explore
- amusement
- trivialization
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- frivolitynoun
Forms
- frivolitiespluralnoun