frivolous

What it means

1. Silly, especially at an inappropriate time or in an inappropriate manner; lacking a good reason for being, or for doing what one does; due to or moved by a caprice or whim.

   trifling ((literary)

2. Of little weight or importance; not worth notice; slight; trivial.

   Synonyms: base, contemptible, floccinaucinihilipilificatious, foolish, for the birds, futile, idle, ignorable

3. lawHaving no reasonable prospect of success because its claim is without merit, lacking a supporting legal or factual basis, while the filing party is, or should be, aware of this.

   One of the major cost drivers in the delivery of health care are these junk and frivolous lawsuits.

   2005, Factcheck.org

   1 more example

   There is no easy definition for the phrase 'frivolous lawsuit,' but I imagine any claim for damages where the injuries are minimal or where the basis for the defendant's liability is hard to believe, might qualify as frivolous.

   1996 August 31, Paul F. Waldner, President-Elect, Houston Trial Lawyers Association, “Viewpoints”, in Houston Chronicle, archived from the original on 16 Apr 2005

In a sentence

trifling ((literary)

Where it comes from

1. Latinfrīvolus“silly, empty, trifling, frivolous, worthless”
2. Englishfrivolous

From Latin frīvolus (“silly, empty, trifling, frivolous, worthless”), with the ending modified to match -ous.