frivolity

noun

fri·​vol·​i·​ty fri-ˈvä-lə-tē 

plural frivolities

1

: the quality or state of being frivolous

He has no patience for frivolity.

2

: a frivolous act or thing

He spends money on the latest fashions and other frivolities.

Synonyms

• facetiousness
• flightiness
• flippancy
• frivolousness
• frothiness
• levity
• light-headedness
• light-mindedness
• lightness
• silliness

Examples of frivolity in a Sentence

He has no patience for frivolity.

He spends money on the latest fashions and other frivolities.

Recent Examples on the Web

One unexpected joy of League Pass life is the arena feed, which shows us what’s on the jumbotron during timeouts (mascot skits, archival content, dance promotions and many other frivolities). —Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 16 May 2025

This film is a lyrical study of beauty and identity that balances the weight of internalized shame with the frivolity of a burgeoning romance. —Brian Welk, IndieWire, 12 Mar. 2025

After a couple of hours of gentle frivolity, the real London is back. —Tim Spiers, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025

So often, there's a silliness or frivolity associated with it. —Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see frivolous

First Known Use

1764, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for frivolity

• causality
• equality
• sodality
• inequality
• jollity
• polity
• quality

Kids Definition

frivolity

noun

fri·​vol·​i·​ty friv-ˈäl-ət-ē 

plural frivolities

1

: the quality or state of being frivolous

2

: a frivolous act or thing