- Today's Word
Frivolous
[FRIV-uh-lus]
Definition
- (adjective) Something lacking in seriousness, importance, or value. It describes things, actions, or attitudes that are silly, trivial, or not worth serious attention, often with a suggestion of being inappropriately lighthearted.
Example
The CEO was criticized for making frivolous purchases like golden office furniture while the company was laying off employees.
Fun Fact
The word “frivolous” comes from the Latin “frivolus,” meaning “silly, empty, or trifling,” which likely derived from “friare,” meaning “to break into small pieces.” In medieval times, it gained a specific legal meaning that continues today – a “frivolous lawsuit” was one brought to court without serious merit. Interestingly, during the French Revolution, being labeled as “frivole” (the French equivalent) could be dangerous, as it suggested someone was disconnected from serious revolutionary ideals and too focused on aristocratic pleasures. The word gained additional significance during the Victorian era, when “frivolous” became associated with women’s activities and interests, reflecting the period’s gender biases. This led to the term “frivolity,” which specifically referred to lightweight entertainment or decoration. Today, while the word maintains its core meaning of “lacking seriousness,” it’s often used in both legal contexts and social criticism, particularly in discussions about consumerism and social media culture.
(adjective) Capable of producing the desired result; successful in achieving the intended outcome.
The new treatment proved remarkably efficacious in clinical trials, reducing symptoms in over ninety percent of patients within the first two weeks.
Efficacious derives from the Latin efficax, meaning “powerful” or “effectual,” rooted in efficere — “to bring about” or “to accomplish” — built from ex- (“out”) and facere (“to make” or “to do”). The same root gives us effect, efficient, and efficacy — a family of words all built around the idea of something being done and producing a result. It entered English in the 16th century, used predominantly in medical and philosophical contexts to describe remedies or arguments that actually worked.