In its most basic, and oldest, uses, frivolous simply describes things of little importance. You can refer to anything you don't find worthwhile—from silly products to outrageous forms of entertainment to goofy pursuits—as "frivolous."

A frivolous claim is not based on fact or good reasons, or relates to something that is not at all important, so that it is obviously not likely to succeed or not worth taking to court:

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.

A frivolous claim is not based on fact or good reasons, or relates to something that is not at all important, so that it is obviously not likely to succeed or not worth taking to court:

If someone is frivolous, that person shouldn't be taken seriously because he's always fooling around and never gets anything done. Frivolous is pretty much the opposite of essential.

What Does "Frivolous" Really Mean? To begin, "frivolous" is an adjective, and it describes something that is not serious or lacks any real value. Think of it as something that’s just for fun, superficial, or trivial — not worth worrying about.

Define frivolous. frivolous synonyms, frivolous pronunciation, frivolous translation, English dictionary definition of frivolous. adj. 1. Unworthy of serious attention; trivial: a frivolous novel.

If you describe someone as frivolous, you mean they behave in a silly or light-hearted way, rather than being serious and sensible. I just decided I was a bit too frivolous to be a doctor.

Frivolous things are silly or unnecessary. If something is frivolous, then you don't need it. Frivolous things are goofy, useless, or just plain dumb. The word is often used to describe lawsuits. A frivolous lawsuit has no value and will be a waste of the court's time.

She thinks window shopping is a frivolous activity. a frivolous lawsuit [=a lawsuit about something that is not important]