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

In part, this can be shored home to the central presence of the great Tony Servillo, whose resting expression of ironic amusement gives everything around him a touch of levity. —Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2024

But this year, the Oscar winner also delivered a bit of levity. —Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Aug. 2024

The moment of unity and levity put a joyful punctuation mark on a stressful final day of competition at Bercy Arena. —Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 5 Aug. 2024

These injections of life and levity don’t quite make up for the overarching inertia of the second season, in which two of the series’ three central characters didn’t do much of anything. —Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

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