frivolous

English

WOTD – 11 April 2010

Etymology

From Latin frīvolus (“silly, empty, trifling, frivolous, worthless”).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈfɹɪv.əl.əs/
  • Hyphenation: friv‧o‧lous
  • Audio (US)(file)

Adjective

frivolous (comparative more frivolous, superlative most frivolous)

  1. Silly, especially at an inappropriate time or in an inappropriate manner.
  2. Of little weight or importance; not worth notice; slight.
  3. (law) In litigation, a lawsuit filed by a party who is aware the claim is without merit and has no reasonable prospect of success because of a lack of supporting legal or factual basis.
    • 1996 August 31, Paul F. Waldner, President-Elect, Houston Trial Lawyers Association, “Viewpoints”, in Houston Chronicle‎citation:
      There is no easy definition for the phrase 'frivolous lawsuit,' but I imagine any claim for damages where the injuries are minimal or where the basis for the defendant's liability is hard to believe, might qualify as frivolous.
    • Factcheck.org:
      One of the major cost drivers in the delivery of health care are these junk and frivolous lawsuits.

Derived terms

Translations

Further reading

  • frivolous in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
  • frivolous in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
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