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

The spontaneous injection of levity was exactly what Caldwell needed. —Jayme Moye, Outside Online, 8 Nov. 2024

Some levity could help keep people calm during an election that some Americans fear could turn violent. —Esteban L. Hernandez, Axios, 4 Nov. 2024

If not, read on for a guide to the very-online meme format that’s adding a necessary dose of levity to an increasingly tense election cycle. —Emma Specter, Vogue, 31 Oct. 2024

But as the community has embarked on rebuilding and cleanup efforts, people like Gamble have also been coming together to help each other find moments of levity—like by celebrating Halloween. —Chantelle Lee, TIME, 29 Oct. 2024

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

Kids Definition

levity

noun

lev·​i·​ty ˈlev-ət-ē 

plural levities

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