frivolous

== English == === Etymology === From Latin frīvolus (“silly, empty, trifling, frivolous, worthless”), with the ending modified to match -ous. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈfɹɪv.ə.ləs/ Hyphenation: friv‧o‧lous === Adjective === frivolous (comparative more frivolous, superlative most frivolous) Silly, especially at an inappropriate time or in an inappropriate manner; lacking a good reason for being, or for doing what one does; due to or moved by a caprice or whim. Of little weight or importance; not worth notice; slight; trivial. Synonyms: see Thesaurus:insignificant (law, said of a lawsuit) Having no reasonable prospect of success because its claim is without merit, lacking a supporting legal or factual basis, while the filing party is, or should be, aware of this. 2005, Factcheck.org[2]: One of the major cost drivers in the delivery of health care are these junk and frivolous lawsuits. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Related terms ==== frivol frivolity ==== Translations ==== === Further reading === “frivolous”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC. William Dwight Whitney, Benjamin Eli Smith, editors (1895–1910), “frivolous”, in The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia: […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., →OCLC.