frivolous
Talking about something that is not serious or important and may seem silly or a waste of time or money.
Describing actions, things, or ideas that are not serious or important and are seen as silly, trivial, or a waste of time or money.
Saying that someone does not take life or their duties seriously and cares too much about fun or small things.
Describing a person, or their attitude, as not serious, not thinking carefully about responsibilities, and often too focused on fun or unimportant things.
In law, talking about a case or claim that has no good legal reason and is clearly not serious.
In legal contexts, describing a claim, lawsuit, or appeal that clearly has no reasonable legal basis or chance of success and is seen as a waste of the court’s time.
- Base: frivolous
frivolous and vexatious
1Groundless and harassing (in law)
Used in law to describe legal actions that have no real legal basis and seem mainly intended to bother or harass the other side.
- The court declared the serial litigant’s complaints frivolous and vexatious.
- New rules allow judges to block frivolous and vexatious claims before they reach trial.
frivolous lawsuit
1Legal case with no merit
A court case that clearly has no good legal reason and is seen as a waste of the court’s time.
- The company accused the activist group of filing a frivolous lawsuit to gain media attention.
- To discourage frivolous lawsuits, the judge ordered the plaintiff to pay the defendant’s legal fees.
frivolous spending
1Wasteful, unimportant spending
Using money on things that are not really needed and are seen as silly or a waste.
- After looking at her credit card bill, she decided to cut back on frivolous spending.
- The program helps young people learn how to avoid frivolous spending and build savings.