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levity — humor or frivolity, especially the treatment of a serious matter with humor or in a manner lacking due respect

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: humor or frivolity, especially the treatment of a serious matter with humor or in a manner lacking due respect

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈlevəti/

Example Sentences

  • His levity at the funeral was deeply inappropriate and offended many mourners.
  • The teacher used moments of levity to make the difficult math lesson more enjoyable.
  • After three hours of serious discussion, someone finally injected some levity by telling a joke about spreadsheets.

levity

NOUN

[/ˈlevəti/]

humor or frivolity, especially the treatment of a serious matter with humor or in a manner lacking due respect

A bit of levity from the clown lightened the tense hospital waiting room.
💡 Concept

A bit of levity from the clown lightened the tense hospital waiting room.

Levity defeats gravity with brevity!
🎵 Rhyme

Levity defeats gravity with brevity!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈlevəti/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈlevəti/

🌳Etymology

Rootlev
Suffix--ity

Origin

From Latin 'levitas' meaning lightness or frivolity, derived from 'levis' meaning light in weight or character. The word entered English through Old French and Middle English.

Breakdown

lev- (light, from Latin levis) + -ity (noun suffix denoting quality or state) = levity

🎵Rhyme

brevity
gravity

🔗Collocations

inappropriate levity
moments of levity
inject levity
comic levity
levity and gravity
show levity

📝Examples

“His levity at the funeral was deeply inappropriate and offended many mourners.”

“The teacher used moments of levity to make the difficult math lesson more enjoyable.”

😄 Fun example

“After three hours of serious discussion, someone finally injected some levity by telling a joke about spreadsheets.”

“The comedian's levity was exactly what the stressed audience needed after a long day.”

📚Related Words

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