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

• lightness
• cheerfulness
• silliness
• glee
• frivolity

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

But while there are a few bright spots — chief among them the bits of levity offered by slightly goofy, occasionally clever and generally lovable loan shark Woo-seok (Jeon Seok-ho) — the pace is lumbering. —Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 27 June 2025

The Flight designs connect to both legacy and levity. —Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 9 June 2025

For Tecca, those moments of levity helped create the broader world of the album. —Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 19 June 2025

This bit of levity presents a contrast to the haunting scene and gives us another opportunity to appreciate Onimusha's expressive facial animations. —Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 11 June 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