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frivolous

adjective
friv·​o·​lous | \ ˈfri-və-ləs How to pronounce frivolous (audio) \

Definition of frivolous

1a : of little weight or importance She thinks window shopping is a frivolous activity.
b : having no sound basis (as in fact or law) a frivolous lawsuit
2a : lacking in seriousness a frivolous conversation
b : marked by unbecoming levity was criticized for his frivolous behavior in court
Other Words from frivolous Synonyms & Antonyms A Serious Discussion About the Meaning of Frivolous More Example Sentences Learn More about frivolous

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Other Words from frivolous

frivolously adverb
frivolousness noun

A Serious Discussion About the Meaning of Frivolous

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.

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
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Recent Examples on the Web

 In the same way that frivolous accusations of sexism minimize the gravity of real ones, false arguments for electing them also minimize the very real case for doing so. — Katherine Timpf, National Review, "MSNBC Host Hurts Women by Claiming They Have Better Character," 27 Aug. 2019 Daines and other Montana leaders say those groups have abused the legal system by filing frivolous lawsuits to stop logging projects in national forests. — Matt Volz, The Denver Post, "Senators to introduce bipartisan wildfire bill," 1 Aug. 2019 By mid-August your thoughts may turn to more frivolous things and vacation trips, group gatherings or even some romance could fill your time. — Tribune Content Agency, oregonlive.com, "Horoscope for July 24, 2019: Aries, spin the wheel and take a chance; Sagittarius, sometimes less is more," 24 July 2019 Novoselsky was accused of filing frivolous federal and state lawsuits in 2008 and 2009 against the Zvunca estate’s lead lawyer, Jeanine Stevens, and two other lawyers. — Todd Lighty, chicagotribune.com, "Lawyer should lose license for misconduct in case of girl who watched mother run over by bus, panel says," 13 June 2019 Finally, the chance to be a rizty one-percenter who can spend way too much money on socks without looking frivolous or insane! — Luke Winkie, Vox, "From condemning “white terrorism” to condemning video games: Republican responses to El Paso shooting," 5 Aug. 2019 If you are tempted to spend money on something frivolous that should be earmarked for a more practical purpose, let common sense prevail. — Tribune Content Agency, oregonlive.com, "Horoscope for July 27, 2019: Cancer, clear up misunderstandings today; Libra return a kindness when needed," 27 July 2019 At issue was how to interpret Wilson's legal action within the context of California's SLAPP statute, with was enacted by state lawmakers to deter frivolous actions targeting First Amendment activity on matters of public importance. — Eriq Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, "California Supreme Court Analyzes Lawsuit by Fired CNN Producer," 22 July 2019 And, let’s start with something frivolous at best and just ridiculous at worst. — John Cherwa, latimes.com, "Racing! Game Winner is back in winning form," 14 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'frivolous.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of frivolous

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for frivolous

Middle English, from Latin frivolus

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More Definitions for frivolous

frivolous

adjective
How to pronounce frivolous (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of frivolous

: not important : not deserving serious attention
: silly and not serious

See the full definition for frivolous in the English Language Learners Dictionary

frivolous

adjective
friv·​o·​lous | \ ˈfri-və-ləs How to pronounce frivolous (audio) \

Kids Definition of frivolous

1 : of little importance : trivial a frivolous matter
2 : lacking in seriousness a frivolous boyfriend

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