frivol
Americanverb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
verb
-
(intr) to behave frivolously; trifle
-
to waste on frivolous pursuits
Other Word Forms
- frivoler noun
- frivoller noun
Etymology
Origin of frivol
First recorded in 1865–70; back formation from frivolous
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
There were few awards in fields of frivol: Oscars, Tonys, Grammys didn't exist.
From Time Magazine Archive
For his present visit, Gielgud apparently questioned the importance of being earnest: he would frivol first in Wilde's classic farce, later in Congreve's Restoration comedy, Love for Love.
From Time Magazine Archive
He only signaled to another guard—this one taller and older—who said, “Step aside, please, or we’ll have to arrest you. This is not a place to frivol with.”
From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell
Dreamily I watched a great red dragon-fly frivol with the fairy blue wreaths of incense-smoke that hovered above the leaf shadows trembling on the sand.
From The Lady and Sada San A Sequel to the Lady of the Decoration by Little, Frances, [pseud.]
My capacity for frivol has died a violent death, and I feel all ‘out of the picture’ in a ballroom.
From A Question of Marriage by Vaizey, George de Horne, Mrs.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
