Etymology Map
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Frivolous

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means not serious

Where does the word "frivolous" come from? It comes from Latin frivolus, adopted directly into English (1400s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
frivolus
Latin · ancient
"silly, worthless"
possibly from 'friare', to crumble
2
Stage 2 of 2
frivolous
English · 1400s
"worthless"
'frivolous lawsuits' dates from the 1900s
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Frivolous’s story begins in Latin: frivolus meant “silly, worthless.” Possibly from 'friare', to crumble. It reached English by 1400s as frivolous. 'frivolous lawsuits' dates from the 1900s. Today, frivolous means not serious.