levity

/ˈlevəti/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈlevəti/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈle-və-tē/ (ame, mw)

levity — noun

1. a light, joking attitude shown at a moment when calm or respectful behaviour is

1.名詞C2
釋義

a light, joking attitude shown at a moment when calm or respectful behaviour is expected, especially during sad, important, or solemn events

例句

The judge warned the lawyers that any levity during the murder trial would not be tolerated.

formal register: 'levity will not be tolerated' in legal or official settings

Aoi's quiet jokes brought a welcome touch of levity to the long funeral reception.

collocation: 'a touch of levity' softens a heavy occasion

同義詞
  • frivolity

    stronger; suggests silly behaviour generally, not only at solemn moments

  • flippancy

    narrower; emphasises a disrespectful, dismissive joking tone

  • light-heartedness

    neutral or positive; lacks the disapproving edge of 'levity'

反義詞
  • solemnity

    the calm, serious mood that 'levity' interrupts

  • gravity

    the seriousness expected on important occasions

文法句型

uncountable: levity

show / display / introduce + levity

用法筆記

Almost always uncountable and marked formal. Frequently appears in fixed phrases such as 'a touch of levity', 'a moment of levity', and 'no place for levity'. Subject contexts are typically grave, official, or ceremonial — funerals, courtrooms, hospitals, religious services — where the joking attitude stands out as inappropriate or, more rarely, as a welcome relief.

常見錯誤

❌She has a lot of levities in her personality.
✅She has a light, joking personality.
💡'levity' is uncountable and almost never describes a general personality trait; it labels behaviour at a specific solemn moment.
❌The comedy show had great levity.
✅The comedy show was very funny.
💡'levity' is not a general word for humour; it only applies when the humour clashes with a serious context.