flightiness
gb/flˈaɪtˌaɪns/ us/flˈaɪtˌaɪns/
C1
English
csapongás, szétszórtság, könnyedség, játékosság, felületesség
NOUN
C1
1
csapongás
B2
szétszórtság
B1
Usage pattern:
the flightiness of [someone]; [someone]'s flightiness
Her flightiness made it hard to trust her with long-term plans.
A csapongása miatt nehéz volt megbízni benne, amikor hosszú távú tervekről volt szó.
He tried to hide his flightiness at work, but he kept switching projects.
A munkahelyén próbálta leplezni a csapongását, de folyton más projektre váltott.
They mistook his flightiness for confidence, but he rarely followed through.
Learner examples
His flightiness worries his parents.
A csapongása aggasztja a szüleit.
I lost the job because of my flightiness.
A szétszórtságom miatt elvesztettem az állást.
Common mistake:
Do not confuse with aviation-related meanings of flight; flightiness is about personality/behavior.
Meaning
tendency to be unreliable and changeable
Collocations
youthful flightiness
|her flightiness
|his flightiness
|a touch of flightiness
|accused of flightiness
|signs of flightiness
|persistent flightiness
|mere flightiness
|perceived flightiness
|complain about flightiness
Synonyms
fickleness (emphasizes changing choices or feelings often.)
|
inconstancy (more formal; not staying loyal or consistent.)
|
capriciousness (emphasizes sudden, unpredictable changes.)
|
scatterbrainedness (focuses on distractibility and disorganization.)
Antonyms
steadiness (being stable and consistent over time.)
|
reliability (being trusted to do what you promised.)
|
seriousness (taking things with appropriate importance.)
Themes
personality
|behavior
|relationships
Definition
Flightiness is when someone cannot stay serious or steady and changes their mind a lot.
The quality of being flighty; a tendency to be irresponsible, easily distracted, or quick to change plans, interests, or opinions.
NOUN
C1
2
könnyedség
B2
játékosság
B2
Usage pattern:
a sense of flightiness; an air of flightiness
The novel’s early chapters have a bright flightiness that later disappears.
A regény korai fejezeteit derűs könnyedség jellemzi, amely később eltűnik.
She answered with a deliberate flightiness to keep the conversation from turning heavy.
Szándékos könnyedséggel válaszolt, hogy a beszélgetés ne váljon túl komollyá.
A little flightiness in his voice helped calm the tense room.
Learner examples
There was some flightiness in her jokes.
Volt némi játékosság a vicceiben.
Common mistake:
This sense can be positive (playful) or negative (not serious enough); context decides.
Meaning
light, playful, slightly frivolous tone
Collocations
a sense of flightiness
|an air of flightiness
|charming flightiness
|surface flightiness
|moments of flightiness
|touches of flightiness
|a hint of flightiness
|light flightiness
Synonyms
lightheartedness (more clearly positive and warm.)
|
playfulness (focuses on joking or teasing.)
|
frivolity (often suggests triviality and lack of seriousness.)
Antonyms
gravity (seriousness, especially in tone.)
|
solemnity (formal, serious mood or manner.)
Themes
emotions
|social
|communication
Definition
Flightiness can mean a light and playful feeling that is not serious.
A lighthearted, playful quality that avoids seriousness, often in speech, behavior, or mood.
NOUN
C1
3
felületesség
B2
Usage pattern:
the flightiness of [something]
The committee rejected the proposal, citing its flightiness and lack of evidence.
A bizottság elutasította a javaslatot, felületességére és a bizonyítékok hiányára hivatkozva.
Reviewers complained about the flightiness of the dialogue in the second act.
A kritikusok a második felvonás dialógusainak felületességét kifogásolták.
He tried to defend the article, but the flightiness of the claims was obvious.
Learner examples
The teacher said my essay had flightiness.
A tanár azt mondta, hogy van némi felületesség a fogalmazásomban.
Common mistake:
Often used as a criticism of ideas or work, not only of people.
Meaning
superficial lack of seriousness in something
Collocations
the flightiness of the argument
|the flightiness of the article
|criticize the flightiness
|complain about flightiness
|dismiss it as flightiness
|charge of flightiness
Synonyms
superficiality (emphasizes lack of depth or careful thought.)
|
triviality (emphasizes that something is unimportant.)
Antonyms
depth (serious, thoughtful quality.)
|
rigor (careful, thorough thinking or method.)
Themes
education
|communication
|writing
Definition
Flightiness can also mean that something feels too shallow or not serious.
A quality of seeming shallow or not thoughtful enough, especially in writing, discussion, or decision-making.
Grammar
Dictionary form
flightiness
IPA
GB/flˈaɪtˌaɪns/
US/flˈaɪtˌaɪns/
Syllables & stress
flight - i - ness (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (flight)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: flightiness
- Plural: flightiness
Word family
Core family
flighty
adjective C1
Advanced or less common
flightily
adverb
Expressions
a touch of flightiness
1/ə tˈʌt͡ʃ əv flˈaɪtˌaɪns/
fixed phrase
a small amount of flighty behavior
A touch of flightiness means a little bit of flighty behavior.
Examples
- She has a touch of flightiness, but she’s kind and creative.
- The presentation had a touch of flightiness, so they added more data.
- His answers showed a touch of flightiness under pressure.
Learner examples
- He has a touch of flightiness.
an air of flightiness
1/ən ˈɛɹ əv flˈaɪtˌaɪns/
fixed phrase
a general impression of being flighty
An air of flightiness means you seem a little flighty.
Examples
- Despite an air of flightiness, she was extremely organized behind the scenes.
- The brand’s new ads have an air of flightiness that doesn’t fit their message.
- He projects an air of flightiness, so clients hesitate to commit.
Learner examples
- She has an air of flightiness.
dismiss [something] as flightiness
1/dɪsmˈɪs sˈʌmθɪŋ ˈæz flˈaɪtˌaɪns/
fixed phrase
treat something as silly and unserious
If you dismiss something as flightiness, you say it is silly and not serious.
Examples
- They dismissed her concerns as flightiness and refused to investigate.
- Don’t dismiss his enthusiasm as flightiness until you’ve heard the plan.
- The editor dismissed the criticism as flightiness from online commenters.
Learner examples
- He dismissed my idea as flightiness.