levity

noun

lev·​i·​ty ˈle-və-tē 

1

: excessive or unseemly frivolity

She would tolerate no levity in the classroom.

2

: lack of steadiness : changeableness

the levity … of the brisk fire

—Charles Dickens

Did you know?

Levity Was Once a Scientific Term

Levity originally was thought to be a physical force exactly like gravity but pulling in the opposite direction, like the helium in a balloon. As recently as the 19th century, scientists were still arguing about its existence. Today levity refers only to lightness in manner. To stern believers of some religious faiths, levity is often regarded as almost sinful. But the word, like its synonym frivolity, now has an old-fashioned ring to it and is usually used only half-seriously.

Synonyms

• facetiousness
• flightiness
• flippancy
• frivolity
• frivolousness
• frothiness
• light-headedness
• light-mindedness
• lightness
• silliness

Examples of levity in a Sentence

They managed to find some levity in the situation.

the teachers disapprove of any displays of levity during school assemblies

Recent Examples on the Web

Their levity made for a good fit with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which had established its wisecracking tone with Jon Favreau’s first Iron Man and developed it further with Joss Whedon’s Avengers. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2025

There’s a lot of levity here as well, to lighten the mood amid all the shootouts. —Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 13 Mar. 2025

Listen on Apple Music Listen on Spotify Listen on Tidal Listen on Amazon Music Listen/Buy at Bandcamp Buy at Rough Trade Tobacco City: Horses [Scissor Tail] On their second album, Horses, Chicago cosmic-country band Tobacco City dash wit and levity into the swamp of small-town life. —Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 7 Mar. 2025

Showing these moments of levity was my way of honoring that. —Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 1 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin levitat-, levitas, from levis light in weight — more at light entry 4

First Known Use

1564, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for levity

• brevity
• longevity

Kids Definition

levity

noun

lev·​i·​ty ˈlev-ət-ē 

plural levities

: a lack of seriousness often at an improper time : frivolity