Vocabulary in context
SAT Vocabulary Workbook
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Levity
Humor or frivolity, especially in situations where seriousness is appropriate; a lightness of mood.
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Imagine This
When Michael Jordan jumps and dunks the ball, it seems like he is weightless and hangs in the air for a few seconds. Students who wear Levi jeans to attend a graduation ceremony demonstrate a lack of seriousness for the occasion.
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Sounds Like
LEV-i-tee
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Looks Like
Levitate; Levi’s
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Remember This
The root 'lev-' means light. Levity refers to lightness of mood, not physical weight.
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Other Forms
levitiesnoun
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Connect With
frivolity, gaiety, humor, lightness, merriment; contrasted with gravity or solemnity
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Note
Avoid using levity to describe contexts that require solemnity or reverence; it implies inappropriate humor or levity in serious matters.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- The host tried to introduce a touch of levity to the otherwise tense meeting.
- Her levity at the funeral was considered inappropriate by some attendees.
Synonyms
frivolitygaietymirthlightnessjocosity
Antonyms
gravitysolemnityseriousness
Etymology
From Latin levitas 'lightness', from levis 'light'.
Mnemonic
Mnemonic: LEV-ITY = light mood; imagine a mood so light it makes you float, like levitating in joy.
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Scrutinize
verbTo examine closely; to investigate thoroughly.
Table
verbTo postpone or suspend a proposal or motion indefinitely, often with no definite resumption date.
Pedestrian
noun, adjectiveNoun: a person walking, especially along a street. Adjective: dull, ordinary, lacking excitement or imagination.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Abasement
nounThe act or instance of humiliating or degrading someone; the state of being lowered in dignity or status.
Absurdity
nounThe quality or state of being wildly unreasonable, illogical, or ridiculous; something that is completely contrary to reason or common sense.
Accent
nounA distinctive way of pronouncing words; the act of emphasizing a syllable or word (as a verb, to accent means to emphasize).
Accolade
nounAn honor; a public expression of praise or an award.
Acrimony
nounBitterness of speech or manner; ill feeling
Acronym
nounA word formed from the initial letters of a phrase, pronounced as a single word and used as a shorthand for the full name (for example, NASA or radar).
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