Levity: meaning, definitions and examples

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.