levity

[ lev-i-tee ]

noun

, plural lev·i·ties.

1. lightness of mind, character, or behavior; lack of appropriate seriousness or earnestness.

   Synonyms: giddiness, flippancy, triviality, frivolity

2. an instance or exhibition of this.

   Synonyms: giddiness, flippancy, triviality, frivolity

3. fickleness.
4. lightness in weight.

levity

/ ˈlɛvɪtɪ /

noun

1. inappropriate lack of seriousness
2. fickleness or instability
3. archaic.
   lightness in weight

Word History and Origins

Origin of levity¹

1555–65; < Latin levitās lightness, frivolity, equivalent to levi ( s ) light + -tās -ty ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of levity¹

C16: from Latin levitās lightness, from levis light

Example Sentences

“He's a font of misplaced rage. Name your cliché; mother held him too much or not enough, last picked at kickball, late night sneaky uncle, whatever. Now he's so angry moments of levity actually cause him pain; gives him headaches. Happiness, for that gentleman, hurts.”

From Salon

Griffin knows how to make a meal out of her trauma, expertly peppering a whole lot of levity into the darkness.

From Salon

With her charisma, humor, and entertaining confessionals, Nguyen brought a levity to the show that not all cheftestants manage to achieve.

From Salon

I think you actually need moments of levity when you’re tackling quite dark and heavy themes, to allow the audience to take a breath when you are watching something that’s heavy.

From Los Angeles Times

The second moment of levity, on the eve of the Dodgers-Padres best-of-five series, came a few hours later.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• frivolity
• giddiness
• hilarity
• mirth
• repartee