How to pronounce frivolous
Say it like FRIV-uh-lus. Frivolous has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FRIV).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce frivolous. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- FRIV
- uh
- lus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Frivolous pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- FRIVSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- lusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of frivolous
American and British speakers say frivolous in essentially the same way: /ˈfrɪvələs/ in the US and /ˈfrɪvələs/ in the UK.
British respelling: FRIV-uh-lus.
What does frivolous mean?
- Silly, especially at an inappropriate time or in an inappropriate manner; lacking a good reason for being, or for doing what one does; due to or moved by a caprice or whim.“trifling ((literary)”
- Of little weight or importance; not worth notice; slight; trivial.
- Having no reasonable prospect of success because its claim is without merit, lacking a supporting legal or factual basis, while the filing party is, or should be, aware of this.
Where does frivolous come from?
From Latin frīvolus (“silly, empty, trifling, frivolous, worthless”), with the ending modified to match -ous.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying frivolous
How do you pronounce frivolous?
Say FRIV-uh-lus. The American pronunciation is /ˈfrɪvələs/. In British English it is /ˈfrɪvələs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in frivolous?
Frivolous has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FRIV). Broken into parts: FRIV · uh · lus.
Do Americans and Brits say frivolous the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈfrɪvələs/ and the British form is /ˈfrɪvələs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.