Definition of FRIVOLOUS (original) (raw)
1
a
: of little weight or importance
She thinks window shopping is a frivolous activity.
b
: having no sound basis (as in fact or law)
2
a
: lacking in seriousness
b
: marked by unbecoming levity
was criticized for his frivolous behavior in court
Did you know?
The word frivolous is applied to things that don't deserve serious attention—though in some cases a thing described as "frivolous" is serious enough to be a legal matter.
In its most basic, and oldest, uses, frivolous simply describes things of little importance. You can refer to anything you don't find worthwhile—from silly products to outrageous forms of entertainment to goofy pursuits—as "frivolous." Something that in a more technical sense lacks seriousness can also be described with the word; a frivolous essay or book isn't dealing with important topics or ideas. In applying the word frivolous to something, you're saying it doesn't deserve serious attention.
The word frivolous gets more serious when it's applied, as it often is, to legal matters. If a lawsuit is said to be frivolous, it cannot be successfully argued (because, for example, a successful argument would require that a widely rejected legal theory be accepted) or that laws—or the facts—don't support it.
Synonyms
Examples of frivolous in a Sentence
She knew that people might think her frivolous, Kitty said, to talk to some saint when she had a cooking disaster, but that was what she really believed the saints were there for. —
Alice Munro, New Yorker, 8 Oct. 2001 As the Explorer quickly became the most popular SUV of all time … a number of lawsuits concerning the Firestone tires were filed, the first in 1992. But Ford and Firestone, like most companies in today's … society, tend to assume that the bulk of legal actions are frivolous. —Daniel Eisenberg, Time, 11 Sept. 2000 There is no frivolous decoration, no canned music, nothing but the essentials—well-worn cutlery and table linen, unpretentious glasses. —Peter Mayle, GQ, May 1998
She thinks window shopping is a frivolous activity. judges are getting sick of people bringing frivolous lawsuits
Recent Examples on the Web Wanting violence to vacillate between frivolous and significant requires a delicacy that Fight Night rarely possesses. —Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Sep. 2024 To some, gaming might seem like a frivolous endeavor—an enjoyable way to pass a few carefree hours. —Saro McKenna, Forbes, 4 Sep. 2024 This is not – this is definitely not – a frivolous appeal. —Michael M. Dewitt, USA TODAY, 16 Aug. 2024 Now, in the dog days of summer, when much of Hollywood is still in the land of Whispering Angel, why shouldn’t Holmes have one last flirtation with frivolous seasonal style before coat season really kicks in? —Alice Newbold, Vogue, 16 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for frivolous 
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'frivolous.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Latin frivolus
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of frivolous was in the 15th century
Dictionary Entries Near frivolous
Cite this Entry
“Frivolous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frivolous. Accessed 19 Sep. 2024.
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Last Updated: 9 Sep 2024 - Updated example sentences
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