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levity

noun lev·i·ty \ ˈle-və-tē \
|Updated on: 23 Jun 2018

Definition of levity

1 : excessive or unseemly frivolity
  • She would tolerate no levity in the classroom.
2 : lack of steadiness : changeableness
  • the levity … of the brisk fire
  • —Charles Dickens

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Examples of levity in a Sentence

  1. They managed to find some levity in the situation.

  2. the teachers disapprove of any displays of levity during school assemblies

Recent Examples of levity from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'levity.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

levity Was Once a Scientific Term

Levity originally was thought to be a physical force exactly like gravity but pulling in the opposite direction, like the helium in a balloon. As recently as the 19th century, scientists were still arguing about its existence. Today levity refers only to lightness in manner. To stern believers of some religious faiths, levity is often regarded as almost sinful. But the word, like its synonym frivolity, now has an old-fashioned ring to it and is usually used only half-seriously.

Origin and Etymology of levity

Latin levitat-, levitas, from levis light in weight — more at light

levity Synonyms

Synonyms

facetiousness, flightiness, flippancy, frivolity, frivolousness, frothiness, light-headedness, light-mindedness, lightness, silliness;

Antonyms

earnestness, gravity, seriousness, soberness, solemnity, solemnness;

Near Antonyms

dejection, depression, despondency, dispiritedness, downheartedness, gloom, gloominess, heartsickness, joylessness, melancholy, mopes, moroseness, sadness, sullenness, unhappiness;

Related Words

cheer, cheerfulness, festivity, gaiety (also gayety), glee, gleefulness, high-spiritedness, hilarity, joviality, lightheartedness, merriment, mirth, mirthfulness;

childishness, goofiness, puerility;

LEVITY Defined for English Language Learners

levity

noun

Definition of levity for English Language Learners

  • : a lack of seriousness

  • : an amusing quality

Learn More about levity

  1. See words that rhyme with levity Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for levity Spanish Central: Translation of levity Nglish: Translation of levity for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of levity for Arabic speakers

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