Frivolous
adjective
Not sensible or serious; silly.
John's frivolous behavior at the meeting was not appreciated.
Often appears as...
- frivolous behavior
- frivolous spending
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Not important, not deserving serious attention.
The judge dismissed the frivolous lawsuit.
Often appears as...
- frivolous claim
- frivolous lawsuit
Usage tips
Disapproving
Legal
adjective
Carefree and not serious.
Their frivolous talk about fashion and celebrity was boring for me.
Often appears as...
- frivolous chatter
- frivolous lifestyle
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Not sensible or serious; silly.
John's frivolous behavior at the meeting was not appreciated.
Often appears as...
- frivolous behavior
- frivolous spending
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Not important, not deserving serious attention.
The judge dismissed the frivolous lawsuit.
Often appears as...
- frivolous claim
- frivolous lawsuit
Usage tips
Disapproving
Legal
adjective
Carefree and not serious.
Their frivolous talk about fashion and celebrity was boring for me.
Often appears as...
- frivolous chatter
- frivolous lifestyle
Usage tips
Disapproving
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Inappropriate Moments
Avoid 'frivolous' in serious or formal situations as it may seem disrespectful.
His frivolous comments during the solemn ceremony were frowned upon.
Pro Tip 2/3Misunderstanding Risk
'Frivolous' might be misunderstood as playful, but it often implies negative judgment.
Calling her ideas frivolous wasn't playful; it hurt her feelings.
Pro Tip 3/3Tone of Voice
The tone can change 'frivolous' from a light tease to a scathing critique.
In a cheerful tone, 'You're being frivolous!' can sound friendly.
Pro Tip 1/3Inappropriate Moments
Avoid 'frivolous' in serious or formal situations as it may seem disrespectful.
His frivolous comments during the solemn ceremony were frowned upon.
Pro Tip 2/3Misunderstanding Risk
'Frivolous' might be misunderstood as playful, but it often implies negative judgment.
Calling her ideas frivolous wasn't playful; it hurt her feelings.
Pro Tip 3/3Tone of Voice
The tone can change 'frivolous' from a light tease to a scathing critique.
In a cheerful tone, 'You're being frivolous!' can sound friendly.
Pro Tip 1/3Inappropriate Moments
Avoid 'frivolous' in serious or formal situations as it may seem disrespectful.
His frivolous comments during the solemn ceremony were frowned upon.
Pro Tip 2/3Misunderstanding Risk
'Frivolous' might be misunderstood as playful, but it often implies negative judgment.
Calling her ideas frivolous wasn't playful; it hurt her feelings.
Pro Tip 3/3Tone of Voice
The tone can change 'frivolous' from a light tease to a scathing critique.
In a cheerful tone, 'You're being frivolous!' can sound friendly.
Compare with
carelessflippantimportantlightweightminorpettysignificantsuperficialtrivial
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Video examples
ET is (probably) out...
Scott all these guys it's really nifty exploration they're just doing it because they want to explore it and you might say oh that's kind of a frivolous opportunity but that's not frivolous that's not a frivolous activity because let me think of ants you know most ants are programmed to follow one another along enough in a long line but
Video examples
Steven Pinker and...
Namely, we seem to be getting more humane. Centuries ago, our ancestors would burn cats alive as a form of popular entertainment. Knights waged constant war on each other by trying to kill as many of each other's peasants as possible. Governments executed people for frivolous reasons,
Video examples
Why Having Fun Is the...
or lighthearted pleasure. It's something for kids to have in play areas. It makes it sound like it's frivolous and optional. But if you think back on your own memories that stand out to you as having truly been fun -- and I really encourage you to do this --
Video examples
What it's like to be a...
because this is all we've ever had. Stories -- and movies are just modern stories -- are not frivolous. They're actually the mechanism through which we process our experience of being alive. They're the way that we understand the world and our place in it.
Video examples
The playful wonderland...
But just as often, new ideas come into the world simply because they're fun. And here's the really strange many of those playful but seemingly frivolous inventions ended up sparking momentous transformations in science, in politics and society.
Video examples
Why city flags may be...
considers all of its design its public transit, its parks, its signage. It might seem frivolous, but it's not. Often when city leaders say, "We have more important things to do than worry about a city flag," my response is,
Video examples
Seeking justice for the...
used to clean cotton amongst other things is being thrown on the faces of women to teach them a lesson disfiguring them and it's used for the most frivolous of reasons husbands throwing them throwing it on a wife they
Video examples
African Dung Beetle PIPE...
worldwide all united in their love of and need to possess balls have done one question about dung beetles for a further study are they capable of having fun you know being frivolous we're not privy to the
Video examples
Isabel Behncke:...
In other words, play is our adaptive wildcard. In order to adapt successfully to a changing world, we need to play. But will we make the most of our playfulness? Play is not frivolous.
Video examples
Fun, Fierce and...
or about seven-foot-tall robots that fall in love. It's nothing incredibly important. It's just fun, fierce and frivolous, as frivolous as bubble gum --
Video examples
ET is (probably) out...
Scott all these guys it's really nifty exploration they're just doing it because they want to explore it and you might say oh that's kind of a frivolous opportunity but that's not frivolous that's not a frivolous activity because let me think of ants you know most ants are programmed to follow one another along enough in a long line but
Video examples
Steven Pinker and...
Namely, we seem to be getting more humane. Centuries ago, our ancestors would burn cats alive as a form of popular entertainment. Knights waged constant war on each other by trying to kill as many of each other's peasants as possible. Governments executed people for frivolous reasons,
Video examples
Why Having Fun Is the...
or lighthearted pleasure. It's something for kids to have in play areas. It makes it sound like it's frivolous and optional. But if you think back on your own memories that stand out to you as having truly been fun -- and I really encourage you to do this --
Video examples
What it's like to be a...
because this is all we've ever had. Stories -- and movies are just modern stories -- are not frivolous. They're actually the mechanism through which we process our experience of being alive. They're the way that we understand the world and our place in it.
Video examples
The playful wonderland...
But just as often, new ideas come into the world simply because they're fun. And here's the really strange many of those playful but seemingly frivolous inventions ended up sparking momentous transformations in science, in politics and society.
Video examples
Why city flags may be...
considers all of its design its public transit, its parks, its signage. It might seem frivolous, but it's not. Often when city leaders say, "We have more important things to do than worry about a city flag," my response is,
Video examples
Seeking justice for the...
used to clean cotton amongst other things is being thrown on the faces of women to teach them a lesson disfiguring them and it's used for the most frivolous of reasons husbands throwing them throwing it on a wife they
Video examples
African Dung Beetle PIPE...
worldwide all united in their love of and need to possess balls have done one question about dung beetles for a further study are they capable of having fun you know being frivolous we're not privy to the
Video examples
Isabel Behncke:...
In other words, play is our adaptive wildcard. In order to adapt successfully to a changing world, we need to play. But will we make the most of our playfulness? Play is not frivolous.
Video examples
Fun, Fierce and...
or about seven-foot-tall robots that fall in love. It's nothing incredibly important. It's just fun, fierce and frivolous, as frivolous as bubble gum --
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Jennifer Hyman
American Businesswoman
I actually think that self-expression comes, sometimes, from what you wear, and having the freedom to be able to wear whatever you want for whatever mood you want to wear it, but to not feel frivolous that all of those things that help you self-express have to be things that you're committing to forever.
Quote examples
Imelda Marcos
Celebrity
It is shallow people who think beauty is frivolous or excessive. If you are bringing beauty and god, you are enriching the country. Rice feeds the body, books feed the mind, beauty feeds the soul. It is one thing I can really be proud of and stand tall in the world.
Quote examples
Emraan Hashmi
Indian Actor
I find awards frivolous. When I began my career, I was told that I deserved an award for a certain performance, but then I couldn't turn up on the day of the show. Then I was told that the award went to someone else. That's when I realised the truth behind it all.
Quote examples
Lee Hall
English Playwright
I don't really find things funny unless they're deeply tragic at the same time. I think if you're funny just for the sake of being funny, it's just frivolous nonsense. To me, all the best comic plays have been written about really serious and rather bleak things.
Quote examples
Tinsley Mortimer
American Celebrity
I was never made to feel that fashion was frivolous and any old dress would do. Fashion was serious stuff in my house and in my life. In fact, most memories I have growing up involve beautiful dresses.
Quote examples
Marcia Wallace
American Actress
There is no such thing as an unreasonable question, or a silly question, or a frivolous question, or a waste-of-time question. It's your life, and you've got to get these answers.
Quote examples
Ileana D'Cruz
Indian Actress
I don't want my personal life to become a part of public domain. It is something that is sacred and means a lot to me. I don't want it to become some frivolous gossip column.
Quote examples
Imran Amed
Canadian Editor
Fashion is always seen as somewhat frivolous and self-indulgent. And I think people on the inside maybe don't see or understand how exciting and diverse a business it is.
Quote examples
Thiruvalluvar
Poet
Indulgence in frivolous speech not only reveals one's lack of moral character, but it deprives him of good qualities also.
Quote examples
Freida Pinto
Indian Actress
As the world's getting filled with temptations, we're getting a bit frivolous and a bit fickle.
Quote examples
Jennifer Hyman
American Businesswoman
I actually think that self-expression comes, sometimes, from what you wear, and having the freedom to be able to wear whatever you want for whatever mood you want to wear it, but to not feel frivolous that all of those things that help you self-express have to be things that you're committing to forever.
Quote examples
Imelda Marcos
Celebrity
It is shallow people who think beauty is frivolous or excessive. If you are bringing beauty and god, you are enriching the country. Rice feeds the body, books feed the mind, beauty feeds the soul. It is one thing I can really be proud of and stand tall in the world.
Quote examples
Emraan Hashmi
Indian Actor
I find awards frivolous. When I began my career, I was told that I deserved an award for a certain performance, but then I couldn't turn up on the day of the show. Then I was told that the award went to someone else. That's when I realised the truth behind it all.
Quote examples
Lee Hall
English Playwright
I don't really find things funny unless they're deeply tragic at the same time. I think if you're funny just for the sake of being funny, it's just frivolous nonsense. To me, all the best comic plays have been written about really serious and rather bleak things.
Quote examples
Tinsley Mortimer
American Celebrity
I was never made to feel that fashion was frivolous and any old dress would do. Fashion was serious stuff in my house and in my life. In fact, most memories I have growing up involve beautiful dresses.
Quote examples
Marcia Wallace
American Actress
There is no such thing as an unreasonable question, or a silly question, or a frivolous question, or a waste-of-time question. It's your life, and you've got to get these answers.
Quote examples
Ileana D'Cruz
Indian Actress
I don't want my personal life to become a part of public domain. It is something that is sacred and means a lot to me. I don't want it to become some frivolous gossip column.
Quote examples
Imran Amed
Canadian Editor
Fashion is always seen as somewhat frivolous and self-indulgent. And I think people on the inside maybe don't see or understand how exciting and diverse a business it is.
Quote examples
Thiruvalluvar
Poet
Indulgence in frivolous speech not only reveals one's lack of moral character, but it deprives him of good qualities also.
Quote examples
Freida Pinto
Indian Actress
As the world's getting filled with temptations, we're getting a bit frivolous and a bit fickle.
Example 1 of 10
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