Frivolous
/ˈfrɪvələs/
Definitions
Lacking seriousness; characterized by lack of seriousness or sense; self-indulgently carefree; silly.
/ˈfrɪvələs/
Not having any serious purpose or value
He was fired for making frivolous comments during the meeting.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're saving up for something important, like a bike. Someone spends all their money on candy instead. That would be a frivolous way to spend money! It's like doing something that isn't necessary or important, like buying a toy when you need a new book.
👶 For kids: When something is frivolous, it means it's silly or not important. Like, spending all your money on candy instead of saving for a toy is a bit frivolous.
More Examples
The company was accused of a frivolous lawsuit designed to harass the competition.
She decided to ignore his frivolous complaints.
How It's Used
"The judge dismissed the case as frivolous."
"She makes frivolous purchases all the time, like shoes and purses."
Idioms & expressions
frivolous lawsuit
A lawsuit lacking a substantial basis in law or fact; a lawsuit intended to harass or delay the defendant.
"The company filed a frivolous lawsuit to delay the competition."
frivolous spending
Spending money on unnecessary or unimportant things.
"The government was criticized for its frivolous spending on luxury items."
From Latin *frivolus* ('worthless, trifling').
In older texts, the word might have been used to describe someone lighthearted, but it has developed a more critical tone, suggesting a lack of seriousness.
Memory tip
Think of 'fri-vol-ous' as a friend whose activities are 'vol'-untarily 'fri'-volous, meaning they're not important.
Word Origin
"worthless, trifling"