Levity: meaning, definitions and examples

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levity

[ˈlɛvɪti ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

sense of humor

The quality of being amusing or light-hearted, especially in a serious or difficult situation. Levity is often associated with a sense of humor and the ability to make others laugh.

Synonyms

humor, lightheartedness, playfulness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
levity	Used to describe lack of seriousness in a situation that typically calls for it. This word can sometimes have a negative connotation when someone's lightness is seen as inappropriate. His levity during the serious meeting annoyed his colleagues The levity in his tone didn't comfort anyone at the funeral
humor	Refers to the quality of being amusing or entertaining, often involving jokes or other forms of wit. It can be used in a wide range of contexts, from daily conversations to professional settings. Her humor always brightens up the office He has a great sense of humor, always making people laugh
lightheartedness	Describes an attitude that is carefree and cheerful. It is often used positively to describe someone's approach to life or a situation. Her lightheartedness is infectious and makes everyone feel at ease Despite the challenges, he maintained his lightheartedness
playfulness	Describes a fun and carefree behavior, often associated with a sense of spontaneity and joy. It is commonly used to describe someone’s personality or a specific interaction. The playfulness in their conversation was a joy to watch Her playfulness made the game more enjoyable for everyone

Examples of usage

She brought levity to the meeting with her jokes.
His levity helped ease the tension in the room.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

lack of seriousness

A lack of seriousness or earnestness, especially when inappropriate. Levity can sometimes be seen as a lack of respect or sensitivity.

Synonyms

carelessness, flippancy, frivolity.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
levity	Use when you want to describe a lightness or lack of seriousness, especially in a situation where seriousness would be more appropriate. He tried to introduce some levity into the conversation to ease the tension. Her levity during the meeting was surprising but somewhat refreshing.
frivolity	Used to describe behavior that is silly or trivial, often in situations where seriousness is expected. It can sometimes have a negative connotation. They criticized her for her frivolity in handling the crisis. Despite the seriousness of the situation, there was a surprising amount of frivolity.
flippancy	Suitable when referring to an attitude of treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor; has a negative connotation. His flippancy about the serious matters annoyed his colleagues. You should avoid flippancy when discussing sensitive topics.
carelessness	Best used to describe a lack of attention or caution, often leading to mistakes or accidents. His carelessness resulted in a costly mistake. She attributed the error to carelessness rather than malice.

Examples of usage

His levity during the funeral offended some of the attendees.
The team's levity about the project deadlines was concerning.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

flightiness

The quality of being easily changeable or not reliable, often in a fickle or flighty manner. Levity in this sense can refer to a lack of stability or seriousness.

Synonyms

fickleness, inconstancy, unreliability.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
levity	Used in situations where a light-hearted or humorous attitude is being described. It often refers to behavior or speech that is intended to be funny or carefree, especially when seriousness is expected. His levity during the meeting about budget cuts was not appreciated. The teacher's levity helped ease the tension in the classroom.
unreliability	Refers to situations where dependability or trustworthiness is being questioned. It directly points to a person's or thing's lack of reliability. Her unreliability as a babysitter caused stress for the parents. The unreliability of the internet connection disrupted the meeting.
fickleness	Used to describe someone who is very changeable, especially in their affections or loyalties. It implies an unreliability in sticking to decisions or commitments. Her fickleness makes it hard to plan anything together. The fickleness of the fans was evident when they cheered for the opposing team.
inconstancy	Used in situations where there is instability or lack of steadiness in feelings or purpose. It suggests a tendency to change one's mind or loyalties frequently. His inconstancy in relationships made her hesitant to commit. The inconstancy of the weather in April can be frustrating.

Examples of usage

Her levity in relationships made it hard for others to trust her.
The levity of the stock market can be unsettling for investors.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'levity' comes from the Latin 'levitas,' meaning lightness.
In older English, 'levity' referred not only to cheerfulness but also to the physical quality of being light in weight.

Psychology

Humor, a key aspect of levity, can improve mood and reduce stress, helping people cope with difficult situations.
Studies show that laughter and light-heartedness can enhance social bonds and foster better communication.

Literature

Levity is often used in literature to provide comic relief, balancing out serious themes for deeper emotional impact.
Characters who embody levity can symbolize hope or resilience, showing how humor can coexist with hardships.

Pop Culture

Many comedians use levity in their routines to address serious subjects in a more approachable way, making the audience think while they laugh.
Films that blend drama with humor often highlight levity, creating memorable and relatable experiences for viewers.

Philosophy

Philosophers argue that levity can be an essential part of human existence, suggesting that light-heartedness adds depth to our understanding of life.
Balancing seriousness with levity is seen as a way to create a more holistic perspective on both joy and sorrow.

Translations

Translations of the word "levity" in other languages:

🇵🇹 levidade

🇮🇳 हल्कापन

🇩🇪 Leichtigkeit

🇮🇩 keceriaan

🇺🇦 легкість

🇵🇱 lekkość

🇯🇵 軽さ

🇫🇷 légèreté

🇪🇸 ligereza

🇹🇷 hafiflik

🇰🇷 가벼움

🇸🇦 خفة

🇨🇿 lehkovážnost

🇸🇰 ľahkosť

🇨🇳 轻率

🇸🇮 lahkotnost

🇮🇸 léttleiki

🇰🇿 жеңілдік

🇬🇪 მსუბუქობა

🇦🇿 yüngüllük

🇲🇽 ligereza

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,396, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

...
20393 spoilt
20394 unequalled
20395 garnered
20396 levity
20397 autocracy
20398 charting
20399 mandrel
...