noun
levity
LEV-uh-tee/ˈlevəti/
Humor or lightness of manner, especially in serious circumstances.
The patient brings levity to the hospital room by using a banana as a pretend telephone.
Etymology
Physical lightness also described a light-minded attitude in Latin. Levity carries that figurative sense into situations where humor or frivolity replaces the seriousness expected.
In context
providing relief from the stress, creating a shared moment of levity. This makes people feel like they can breathe
More examples
- The judge found his levity inappropriate during the hearing.
- Her joke brought welcome levity to the long meeting.
- He answered the grave question without a trace of levity.
Forms
levity
Similar words
- frivolity
- Frivolity suggests a lack of seriousness; levity can be welcome humor in a serious setting.
- lightheartedness
- Lightheartedness is a cheerful disposition; levity describes lightness of manner in a particular situation.