Flippant
adjective
Showing a lack of respect or seriousness that is generally seen as inappropriate.
She had a tendency of giving flippant responses to serious questions.
Often appears as...
- flippant remark
- flippant attitude
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Showing a lack of respect or seriousness that is generally seen as inappropriate.
She had a tendency of giving flippant responses to serious questions.
Often appears as...
- flippant remark
- flippant attitude
Usage tips
Disapproving
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Inappropriate Situations
Use 'flippant' when someone's behavior is inappropriately casual or uncaring in serious situations.
His flippant comments during the funeral were in bad taste.
Pro Tip 2/3Tone of Voice
The tone of a flippant person often sounds dismissive or insensitive, lacking empathy.
When asked about her friend's problems, she spoke in a flippant tone that surprised everyone.
Pro Tip 3/3Misinterpretation Risk
Be careful using 'flippant' as it might be misunderstood as humorous or witty when not intended.
His attempt at being flippant backfired, offending those he was speaking to.
Pro Tip 1/3Inappropriate Situations
Use 'flippant' when someone's behavior is inappropriately casual or uncaring in serious situations.
His flippant comments during the funeral were in bad taste.
Pro Tip 2/3Tone of Voice
The tone of a flippant person often sounds dismissive or insensitive, lacking empathy.
When asked about her friend's problems, she spoke in a flippant tone that surprised everyone.
Pro Tip 3/3Misinterpretation Risk
Be careful using 'flippant' as it might be misunderstood as humorous or witty when not intended.
His attempt at being flippant backfired, offending those he was speaking to.
Pro Tip 1/3Inappropriate Situations
Use 'flippant' when someone's behavior is inappropriately casual or uncaring in serious situations.
His flippant comments during the funeral were in bad taste.
Pro Tip 2/3Tone of Voice
The tone of a flippant person often sounds dismissive or insensitive, lacking empathy.
When asked about her friend's problems, she spoke in a flippant tone that surprised everyone.
Pro Tip 3/3Misinterpretation Risk
Be careful using 'flippant' as it might be misunderstood as humorous or witty when not intended.
His attempt at being flippant backfired, offending those he was speaking to.
Compare with
audaciouscheekydisrespectfulfrivolousglibimpudentinsouciantirreverentpertinentsaucy
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Video examples
Safari Live - Day 42 PIPE...
have to my eternal discredit have forgotten but they sent me a wonderful wonderful message about who makes these collars and it was because of I made a flippant comment about the fact that this lion has a collar on it that looks so big and I said well why on earth
Video examples
A healthy economy should...
are economies that make us thrive whether or not they grow. Yes, it's a little flippant word hiding a profound shift in mindset, but I believe this is the shift we need to make if we, humanity, are going to thrive here together this century.
Video examples
Robots Hunting for Life...
and so I'm not being flippant when I say yes, absolutely, I would absolutely love to go. It would be the most fabulous adventure. There'd be so much to do and explore and so many questions. Endless questions. So, yes, absolutely.
Video examples
Safari Live - Day 42 PIPE...
have to my eternal discredit have forgotten but they sent me a wonderful wonderful message about who makes these collars and it was because of I made a flippant comment about the fact that this lion has a collar on it that looks so big and I said well why on earth
Video examples
A healthy economy should...
are economies that make us thrive whether or not they grow. Yes, it's a little flippant word hiding a profound shift in mindset, but I believe this is the shift we need to make if we, humanity, are going to thrive here together this century.
Video examples
Robots Hunting for Life...
and so I'm not being flippant when I say yes, absolutely, I would absolutely love to go. It would be the most fabulous adventure. There'd be so much to do and explore and so many questions. Endless questions. So, yes, absolutely.
Example 1 of 3
Quote examples
Caitlin Moran
British Journalist
I can honestly say that my abortion was one of the least difficult decisions of my life. I'm not being flippant when I say it took me longer to decide what worktops to have in the kitchen than whether I was prepared to spend the rest of my life being responsible for a further human being.
Quote examples
Phoebe Waller-Bridge
English Actress
If you hear somebody say something absolutely horrendous about their own life, in quite a flippant, offbeat kind of way, when you meet people clearly trying to be strong and brave, the ones who are really good at it are the ones who break my heart the most.
Quote examples
John Bradley-West
English Actor
My tutors at drama school commended and criticised my use of comedy in my acting for a long time at drama school. They said I had a tendency to somehow perform the most tragic of scenes in a slightly flippant way.
Quote examples
Jonathan Ive
English Designer
Our goal isn't to make money. Our goal absolutely at Apple is not to make money. This may sound a little flippant, but it's the truth. Our goal, and what gets us excited, is to try to make great products.
Quote examples
Lee Strobel
American Author
It is very difficult to give a 15 second sound bite on why there is pain and suffering in this world and not have it come off as being flippant or surface level or superficial.
Quote examples
Gordon B. Hinckley
American Clergyman
It is not a mark of manhood to carelessly use the name of the Almighty or of His Beloved Son in a vain and flippant way, as many are prone to do.
Quote examples
Jimmy Page
British Musician
I'm not trying to be flippant here, but I just play the guitar, don't I? That is my characteristic, and it's my identity as you hear it.
Quote examples
Kirron Kher
Indian Actress
To entertain looks very flippant, but it is the hardest thing in the world.
Quote examples
Tom Hollander
English Actor
I prefer to be flippant about acting, just in case I'm rubbish.
Quote examples
Ryan O'Neal
American Actor
I am flippant. That's one of my charms.
Quote examples
Caitlin Moran
British Journalist
I can honestly say that my abortion was one of the least difficult decisions of my life. I'm not being flippant when I say it took me longer to decide what worktops to have in the kitchen than whether I was prepared to spend the rest of my life being responsible for a further human being.
Quote examples
Phoebe Waller-Bridge
English Actress
If you hear somebody say something absolutely horrendous about their own life, in quite a flippant, offbeat kind of way, when you meet people clearly trying to be strong and brave, the ones who are really good at it are the ones who break my heart the most.
Quote examples
John Bradley-West
English Actor
My tutors at drama school commended and criticised my use of comedy in my acting for a long time at drama school. They said I had a tendency to somehow perform the most tragic of scenes in a slightly flippant way.
Quote examples
Jonathan Ive
English Designer
Our goal isn't to make money. Our goal absolutely at Apple is not to make money. This may sound a little flippant, but it's the truth. Our goal, and what gets us excited, is to try to make great products.
Quote examples
Lee Strobel
American Author
It is very difficult to give a 15 second sound bite on why there is pain and suffering in this world and not have it come off as being flippant or surface level or superficial.
Quote examples
Gordon B. Hinckley
American Clergyman
It is not a mark of manhood to carelessly use the name of the Almighty or of His Beloved Son in a vain and flippant way, as many are prone to do.
Quote examples
Jimmy Page
British Musician
I'm not trying to be flippant here, but I just play the guitar, don't I? That is my characteristic, and it's my identity as you hear it.
Quote examples
Kirron Kher
Indian Actress
To entertain looks very flippant, but it is the hardest thing in the world.
Quote examples
Tom Hollander
English Actor
I prefer to be flippant about acting, just in case I'm rubbish.
Quote examples
Ryan O'Neal
American Actor
I am flippant. That's one of my charms.
Example 1 of 10
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