Frivolous meaning

frĭv'ə-ləs
The definition of frivolous is something that has little value or importance or is silly or trivial.

An example of frivolous is purchasing something you don't need.

An example of frivolous is a burglar suing a home owner for shooting them while breaking into their home.

adjective
10
1
Unworthy of serious attention; trivial.

A frivolous novel.

adjective
5
2
Inappropriately silly.

A frivolous purchase.

adjective
3
3
Of little value or importance; trifling; trivial.
adjective
3
3
Not properly serious or sensible; silly and light-minded; giddy.

A frivolous remark, a frivolous youth.

adjective
2
2
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Having no basis in law because of the lack of sound legal arguments, facts, etc. or not brought to court in good faith.
adjective
0
0
Of a claim or assertion in litigation, that it lacks merit or substance; often a pejorative term, implying bad faith or negligence by the pleading party.
adjective
0
0
Silly, especially at an inappropriate time or in an inappropriate manner.
adjective
0
0
Of little weight or importance; not worth notice; slight.
adjective
0
0

Origin of frivolous

  • Middle English probably from Latin frīvolus of little value probably from friāre to crumble
    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
  • From Latin frīvolus (“silly, empty, trifling, frivolous, worthless”).
    From Wiktionary

Frivolous Sentence Examples

  • Less frivolous than someone I know.

  • At bottom the man was frivolous, profoundly selfish, unstable, and utterly incapable of consistency or application.

  • He was incorrigibly frivolous, idle and apathetic; his father had given.

  • Thus she was often led to interfere for frivolous reasons in public affairs, sometimes with serious results, as in the case of the trial of the comte de Guines (1776), when her interference was responsible for the fall of Turgot.

  • In his youth Casimir was considered frivolous and licentious; while his sudden flight from the field of Plowce, the scene of his father's great victory over the Teutonic knights, argued but poorly for his personal courage.

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Related articles

Words near frivolous in the Dictionary