frivolé

Frivolé is a French adjective that historically meant frivolous, trifling, or lacking in seriousness. It is chiefly found in older or literary texts, where it could describe behavior, style, or art that emphasized gaiety, ornament, or surface charm over depth. In contemporary usage, the standard form for both genders is frivole; frivolé (masculine) and frivolée (feminine) appear in archaic or poetic contexts.

Etymology reflects its Latin roots: frivolé derives from Old French frivole, from Latin frivolus meaning worthless or trifling. The term is closely related to the noun frivolité, which denotes frivolity or triviality in thought or conduct.

Usage and nuance: The sense of frivolé carries a negative or dismissive undertone when used about character or works that lack seriousness or substance. It can convey lightness and ornamentation in a neutral or even pleasant way when describing certain forms of art, poetry, or social behavior. In modern French, however, frivole is more commonly used to describe someone who is superficial or inconstant, whereas contemporary stylistic descriptions may opt for other terms to avoid the old connotations of triviality.

In practice: Frivolé appears most often in literary, historical, or stylistic registers. It contrasts with terms that signal depth or solemnity and is typically avoided in formal or scientific writing. The related noun frivolité refers to the broader concept of frivolity or lack of seriousness.

See also: frivolé (archaic form), frivole, frivolité. Translations include frivolous, trifling, or superficial in English.