rather frivolous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rather frivolous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is considered trivial, lacking in seriousness, or not worthy of serious attention. Example: "The debate over the color of the new office chairs seemed rather frivolous compared to the pressing issues we were facing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

It was considered rather frivolous by Austen's people.

Independent

"It seemed rather frivolous," said Ms. Brown, whose own research focuses on Huntington's disease and the basal ganglia.

The New York Times - Arts

Writer called Kal Ruttenstein, the senior vice-president for fashion direction at Bloomingdale's, who said, "I really think the 'Times' is being rather frivolous".

The New Yorker

(One of the most noted, and notorious, writers of this genre was the female poet Mahsatī [first half of the 12th century], who frequently addressed members of different professions in rather frivolous lines).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Is the coffee all right?' I abandon my list of prepared questions and ask Bayley about the trilogy he's been writing since he retired.' Oh it's rather frivolous,' he says dismissively.

The Guardian - Books

Re "Season Tips Off in Location Unlike Any Other," Nov. 12: Given the dire condition of the economy and the level of unemployment in this country, it seems rather frivolous for Michigan State and North Carolina to be opening the college basketball season on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier docked in Southern California at a cost of $2 million.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Intriguingly, the screens were provided by the Sun Engraving Co – a printing company that, the curators wryly note, was renowned for a rather more frivolous product – Woman's Own magazine.

The Guardian

What Japanese voters are hearing from their employers is that profits may be soaring, but the money is needed for investment rather than frivolous things like higher pay today.

The Economist

This makes sense to me: it's the genre that, with its grim premises and violent action, is presumed to be serious rather than frivolous, and that invites naturalistic, action-based, and character-centric interpretations.

The New Yorker

Behind him is Damien McGlinchey, a 27-year-old care worker, who has popped in to pay off his loan of £280, which was for a rather more frivolous purpose.

BBC

In particular, the Protestant ethic (or more specifically, Calvinist ethic) motivated the believers to work hard, be successful in business and reinvest their profits in further development rather than frivolous pleasures.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rather frivolous" to downplay the seriousness of a topic or action. It's most effective when contrasting it with more important matters to highlight the disparity.

Common error

While "rather frivolous" is acceptable, frequent use can make your writing seem dismissive. In formal contexts, consider stronger, more precise alternatives like "insignificant" or "trivial" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather frivolous" primarily functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something is somewhat trivial or lacking in seriousness. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this usage is correct. Examples in Ludwig show it describing topics ranging from fashion trends to academic projects.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "rather frivolous" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adjective phrase that serves to downplay the importance of a subject. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While versatile, it is most frequently found in news and media contexts. When writing, it’s best to remember its nuance—indicating something is only somewhat lacking in seriousness—and ensure your word choice matches the desired level of formality for your intended audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat trivial

Emphasizes the lack of importance or significance.

a bit trivial

Similar to 'somewhat trivial' but with a more casual tone.

slightly unimportant

Directly states the lack of importance.

somewhat insignificant

Highlights the lack of consequence or impact.

a little petty

Suggests the issue is small-minded or of little concern.

quite minor

Focuses on the reduced scale or extent.

somewhat superficial

Implies a lack of depth or substance.

a touch shallow

Similar to 'superficial' but more colloquial.

slightly facetious

Indicates a lack of seriousness, often in a humorous way.

a tad flippant

Suggests a lack of respect or seriousness in response.

FAQs

How can I use "rather frivolous" in a sentence?

You can use "rather frivolous" to describe something that is not serious or important, such as: "The debate over office decorations seemed "rather frivolous" compared to the budget concerns."

What are some alternatives to "rather frivolous"?

Alternatives include "somewhat trivial", "slightly unimportant", or "somewhat insignificant", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "rather frivolous" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "rather frivolous" might be perceived as too informal for certain academic or professional contexts. Consider stronger, more direct alternatives like "insignificant" or "superficial" for a more formal tone.

What's the difference between "rather frivolous" and "completely frivolous"?

"Rather frivolous" implies a mild lack of seriousness or importance, while "completely frivolous" suggests an utter lack of value or significance. The former is a milder assessment than the latter.