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
Charles Dickens
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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.
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
Moments of levity may help Grozev cope with the ongoing threat to his life.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 6 Apr. 2025
Boll, who’s at least good at injecting levity into his movies, struggled to find the humor in this rough outing.
47.
—Jordan Crucchiola, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025
Cromwell’s middle-aged regrets build poignantly, while brisker pacing and some levity—Cromwell is widowed, and various courtiers take it upon themselves to play matchmaker—lend the proceedings a teeming liveliness.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2025
And with the two men enjoying equal time in the spotlight, the film’s moments of levity seem more like brotherly razzing than cruel jabs at a disabled man.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for levity
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Matthew Carey, Deadline, 6 Apr. 2025
Boll, who’s at least good at injecting levity into his movies, struggled to find the humor in this rough outing.
47.
—Jordan Crucchiola, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025
Cromwell’s middle-aged regrets build poignantly, while brisker pacing and some levity—Cromwell is widowed, and various courtiers take it upon themselves to play matchmaker—lend the proceedings a teeming liveliness.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2025
And with the two men enjoying equal time in the spotlight, the film’s moments of levity seem more like brotherly razzing than cruel jabs at a disabled man.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for levity
Cite this Entry
“Levity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/levity. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
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