Levity

/ˈlɛ.vɪ.ti/ · noun

Meaning

A lightness of manner or speech, frivolity; flippancy; a lack of appropriate seriousness; an inclination to make a joke of serious matters..

Definitions by Sense

1. A lightness of manner or speech, frivolity; flippancy; a lack of appropriate seriousness; an inclination to make a joke of serious matters.
2. (obsolete) A lack of steadiness.
3. The state or quality of being light, buoyancy.
4. (countable) A lighthearted or frivolous act.

Example Sentences

An attempt to inject a little levity into the proceedings.

Most of the confidences were unsought - frequently I have feigned sleep, preoccupation or a hostile levity […]

[…]it would really seem as if there was something nomadic in our natures, a principle of levity and restlessness […]

Hydrogen […] rises in the air on account of its levity.

For though it be something wonderful to tell that any should have hearts so hardened, in the midst of such a calamity, as to rob and steal, yet certain it is that all sorts of villainies, and even levities and debaucheries, were then practiced in the town as openly as ever: I will not say quite as frequently, because the number of people were many ways lessened.

[…] or do the people joy less than common in their levities?"

His incorrigible levities had probably lost him the countenance of most of his more serious acquaintances[…

Synonyms for levity

Antonyms for levity

Related Words

Word Forms

• levities

Usage Notes

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