frivolous

frivolous
[[t]frɪ̱vələs[/t]]
1) ADJ-GRADED If you describe someone as frivolous, you mean they behave in a silly or light-hearted way, rather than being serious and sensible.

I just decided I was a bit too frivolous to be a doctor...

Isabelle was a frivolous little fool, vain and flighty.

2) ADJ-GRADED (disapproval) If you describe an activity as frivolous, you disapprove of it because it is not useful and wastes time or money.

The group says it wants politicians to stop wasting public money on what it believes are frivolous projects.

Syn:

English dictionary. 2008.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?
Synonyms:

Look at other dictionaries:

  • frivolous — friv·o·lous / fri və ləs/ adj: lacking in any arguable basis or merit in either law or fact ◇ In an attempt to discourage frivolous lawsuits, Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure requires the signature of an attorney or party on any… …   Law dictionary

  • Frivolous — Friv o*lous, a. [L. frivolus; prob. akin to friare to rub, crumble, E. friable: cf. F. frivole.] [1913 Webster] 1. Of little weight or importance; not worth notice; slight; as, a frivolous argument. Swift. [1913 Webster] 2. Given to trifling;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • frivolous — [friv′ə ləs] adj. [ME < frivol (< OFr frivole < L frivolus, fragile, silly, akin to friare: see FRIABLE) + OUS] 1. of little value or importance; trifling; trivial 2. not properly serious or sensible; silly and light minded; giddy [a… …   English World dictionary

  • frivolous — mid 15c., from L. frivolus silly, empty, trifling, worthless, brittle, dim. of *frivos broken, crumbled, from friare break, rub away, crumble. Related: Frivolously; frivolousness …   Etymology dictionary

  • frivolous — [adj] trivial, silly barmy*, childish, dizzy*, empty headed*, facetious, featherbrained*, flighty, flip, flippant, foolish, gay, giddy*, harebrained*, idiotic, idle, ill considered, impractical, juvenile, light, light minded, minor, niggling*,… …   New thesaurus

  • frivolous — ► ADJECTIVE 1) not having any serious purpose or value. 2) (of a person) carefree and superficial. DERIVATIVES frivolity noun frivolously adverb frivolousness noun. ORIGIN Latin frivolus silly, trifling …   English terms dictionary

  • frivolous — adj. frivolous to + inf. (it was frivolous of him to make such an accusation) * * * [ frɪvələs] frivolous to + inf. (it was frivolous of him to make such an accusation) …   Combinatory dictionary

  • frivolous — frivolously, adv. frivolousness, n. /friv euh leuhs/, adj. 1. characterized by lack of seriousness or sense: frivolous conduct. 2. self indulgently carefree; unconcerned about or lacking any serious purpose. 3. (of a person) given to trifling or… …   Universalium

  • frivolous — adjective /ˈfɹɪv.əl.əs/ a) Silly, especially at an inappropriate time or in an inappropriate manner. , There is no easy definition for the phrase frivolous lawsuit, but I imagine any claim for damages where the injuries are minimal or where the… …   Wiktionary

  • frivolous — adjective 1) a frivolous girl Syn: skittish, flighty, giddy, silly, foolish, superficial, shallow, irresponsible, thoughtless, featherbrained, empty headed, peabrained, birdbrained, vacuous, vapid; informal dizzy, dippy …   Thesaurus of popular words

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