Levity
/ˈlɛv.ɪ.ti/noun
Lightness of mind, character, or behavior; lack of appropriate seriousness.
Did you know?In ancient times, levity was often associated with frivolity, but it also hinted at the idea of being unburdened by the weight of serious matters—a double-edged sword in social contexts!
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*lewk-
“to be light or not heavy.”
Latin
Latin
levitas
“lightness, frivolity.”
Late Latin
Late Latin
levitas
“lack of seriousness, lightness.”
14th Century
Middle English
levite
“lightness or frivolity; a sense of carefreeness.”
Modern English
English
levity
“the quality of being light-hearted or lacking seriousness.”