levity

noun

lev·​i·​ty ˈle-və-tē 

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

Did you know?

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.

Synonyms

• lightness
• cheerfulness
• silliness
• glee
• frivolity

Examples of levity in a Sentence

They managed to find some levity in the situation.

the teachers disapprove of any displays of levity during school assemblies

Recent Examples on the Web

Exceedingly grim stories like Killing Faith can be taxing to tell without a sense of levity on set, and having both Guy and DeWanda lead us on screen with Ned Crowley at the helm made the experience feel a lot like summer camp. —Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2025

Need to drop a levity bomb in the middle of a group of pretentious characters? —Brian Truitt, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025

As played by Chernus, Gacy is a disturbing mixture of hard and soft, sometimes icy and terrifying but frequently offering the closest thing to levity in the series. —Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2025

Dunst’s prowess pushes his own performance, while Peter Dinklage offers levity as the stern store manager Mitch. —Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 11 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin levitat-, levitas, from levis light in weight — more at light entry 4

First Known Use

1564, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for levity

• brevity
• longevity

Kids Definition

levity

noun

lev·​i·​ty ˈlev-ət-ē 

plural levities

: a lack of seriousness often at an improper time : frivolity