1
: excessive or unseemly frivolity
She would tolerate no levity in the classroom.
2
: lack of steadiness : changeableness
the levity … of the brisk fire—
Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens
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Levity Was Once a Scientific Term
Levity originally was thought to be a physical force exactly like gravity but pulling in the opposite direction, like the helium in a balloon. As recently as the 19th century, scientists were still arguing about its existence. Today levity refers only to lightness in manner. To stern believers of some religious faiths, levity is often regarded as almost sinful. But the word, like its synonym frivolity, now has an old-fashioned ring to it and is usually used only half-seriously.
Examples of levity in a Sentence
They managed to find some levity in the situation.
the teachers disapprove of any displays of levity during school assemblies
Recent Examples on the Web
For more on how the show walks the line between grimness and levity, check out How Food Tie-Ins Balance Darkness and Delight .
—Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
The advice for England fans seeking levity and distraction amid the team’s intense start to their European Championship defence was to flick over to ITV X, the streaming platform for one of the UK’s Euros broadcasters, for the wildest subplot of the tournament.
—Katie Whyatt, New York Times, 12 July 2025
As serious as Bieber appeared in that and other standoffs with paparazzi, sharing a song built out of his frustration suggested some degree of self-awareness, if not levity.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 11 July 2025
When the theme arrived in the cellos, Guerrero maintained their levity and grace throughout the movement — and, in fact, throughout much of the piece, bringing an aerodynamic lightness even to the symphony’s final cadence.
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for levity
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Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
The advice for England fans seeking levity and distraction amid the team’s intense start to their European Championship defence was to flick over to ITV X, the streaming platform for one of the UK’s Euros broadcasters, for the wildest subplot of the tournament.
—Katie Whyatt, New York Times, 12 July 2025
As serious as Bieber appeared in that and other standoffs with paparazzi, sharing a song built out of his frustration suggested some degree of self-awareness, if not levity.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 11 July 2025
When the theme arrived in the cellos, Guerrero maintained their levity and grace throughout the movement — and, in fact, throughout much of the piece, bringing an aerodynamic lightness even to the symphony’s final cadence.
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for levity
Cite this Entry
“Levity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/levity. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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