Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

frivolous

/ˈfɹɪv.ə.ləs/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 3.22 in modern English

Syllables: friv-o-lous
IPA: /ˈfɹɪv.ə.ləs/

15

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

3

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Silly, especially at an inappropriate time or in an inappropriate manner; lacking a good reason for being, or for doing what one does; due to or moved by a caprice or whim.

adj

Of little weight or importance; not worth notice; slight; trivial.

adj

Having no reasonable prospect of success because its claim is without merit, lacking a supporting legal or factual basis, while the filing party is, or should be, aware of this.

Example Sentences

"trifling ((literary)"
"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 basis for the defendant's liability is hard to believe, might qualify as frivolous."
"One of the major cost drivers in the delivery of health care are these junk and frivolous lawsuits."

Etymology

From Latin frīvolus (“silly, empty, trifling, frivolous, worthless”), with the ending modified to match -ous.

Origin

Source language: Latin

Word Breakdown

Root: frīvolus

Inflected Forms

more frivolous (comparative) most frivolous (superlative)

Derived Forms

frivolent frivolosity frivolousity frivolously frivolousness nonfrivolous ultrafrivolous unfrivolous

Frequently Paired Words

frivol frivolity

Synonyms

base contemptible floccinaucinihilipilificatious foolish for the birds futile frivolous idle ignorable immaterial inconsequential inconsiderable

Questions

How do you pronounce frivolous?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈfɹɪv.ə.ləs/.
What does frivolous mean?: Silly, especially at an inappropriate time or in an inappropriate manner; lacking a good reason for being, or for doing what one does; due to or moved by a caprice or whim.
Where does frivolous come from?: It is traced to Latin.

How to pronounce frivolous

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “frivolous”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈfɹɪv.ə.ləs/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “frivolous”.
Repeat and practice — Say “frivolous” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.