frivolous
adjective
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A Serious Discussion About the Meaning of Frivolous
The word frivolous is applied to things that don't deserve serious attention—though in some cases a thing described as "frivolous" is serious enough to be a legal matter.
In its most basic, and oldest, uses, frivolous simply describes things of little importance. You can refer to anything you don't find worthwhile—from silly products to outrageous forms of entertainment to goofy pursuits—as "frivolous." Something that in a more technical sense lacks seriousness can also be described with the word; a frivolous essay or book isn't dealing with important topics or ideas. In applying the word frivolous to something, you're saying it doesn't deserve serious attention.
The word frivolous gets more serious when it's applied, as it often is, to legal matters. If a lawsuit is said to be frivolous, it cannot be successfully argued (because, for example, a successful argument would require that a widely rejected legal theory be accepted) or that laws—or the facts—don't support it.
Examples of frivolous in a Sentence
Alice Munro, New Yorker, 8 Oct. 2001
As the Explorer quickly became the most popular SUV of all time … a number of lawsuits concerning the Firestone tires were filed, the first in 1992. But Ford and Firestone, like most companies in today's … society, tend to assume that the bulk of legal actions are frivolous.
—Daniel Eisenberg, Time, 11 Sept. 2000
There is no frivolous decoration, no canned music, nothing but the essentials—well-worn cutlery and table linen, unpretentious glasses.
—Peter Mayle, GQ, May 1998
She thinks window shopping is a frivolous activity.
judges are getting sick of people bringing frivolous lawsuits
Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Ellis advises parents that even if teens make a few purchases that seem frivolous or foolish, instilling good financial habits is what’s most important.
—Yolande Clark-Jackson, Parents, 20 Oct. 2025
The judge found that LaBella’s claims, taken as true, are not frivolous, and thus the motion was denied.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 16 Oct. 2025
Indeed, Historian Robert O’Byrne explains that the British public did not always care about fashion, preferring traditional design staples in fabrics like tweed, and regarding designer clothing as frivolous.
—Time, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for frivolous
Cite this Entry
“Frivolous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frivolous. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
frivolous
adjective
Legal Definition
frivolous
adjective
Note: In an attempt to discourage frivolous lawsuits, Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure requires the signature of an attorney or party on any pleading, motion, or other paper to certify that to the signer's knowledge it is grounded in fact and warranted by law or otherwise brought in good faith and not for an improper purpose. A court is authorized to impose sanctions for violation of the rule.
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