Agency Dictionary
Frivolous
adjectivePronunciation: /ˈfrɪv.əl.əs/
In Portuguese: Frívolo
Play & SportWhat does “Frivolous” mean?
Lacking any serious purpose or substantive value, characterized by triviality and superficiality.
Etymology
From Latin frivolus, "silly, empty, trifling, worthless", with the ending adapted to the English adjective suffix -ous. The word is applied to things of no weight or value and to people who do not take serious matters seriously. In law, a frivolous claim is one with no real basis. The noun frivolity came through French.
Usage note
The word passes a judgment: what one person calls frivolous another may call playful. In legal English it has the precise sense of a case without merit.
Synonyms
- trivial
- trifling
- superficial
- flippant
- shallow
- silly
Word family
- frivolity
- frivolously
- frivolousness
Usage examples
Huizinga argues that play is not just a trivial or frivolous activity but rather a crucial element that shapes human civilization.
Concept
Source editions
Where this entry comes from in the Agency editorial.
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- Refereenoun
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Also from these editions: terms
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- Crystallizeverb
- To take definite, structured, or concrete shape after an initial period of ambiguity or fluidity.
- Dialecticaladjective
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- Heterogeneousadjective
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- Ludicadjective
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- Subproletarianadjective
- Relating to or belonging to an impoverished social stratum positioned below the regular industrial working class.
- Synthesisnoun
- The combination of separate elements, ideas, or entities into a unified, coherent whole.
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