levity
lightness of manner or humor, especially when seriousness is expected
Word origin: From Latin levis, light.
Levity in a sentence
Here are example sentences showing levity in a sentence.
A moment of levity, a stray joke from the bailiff, briefly broke the tension in the otherwise grim courtroom.
The eulogy's brief moment of levity drew a few welcome laughs before the speaker returned to somber reflection.
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Verbal · Sentence Equivalence
Once a blank supporter of the policy, the governor now denounces it at every opportunity, embarrassed that she ever endorsed it.
Using “levity” well
Levity refers to humor or lightness introduced where seriousness is expected, sometimes seen as inappropriate. Do not confuse it with longevity, an unrelated word meaning long life.
More GRE words starting with L
liable to change frequently and unpredictably; emotionally unstable
extremely complicated and full of confusing twists and turns
tearful or given to weeping; mournful
lacking enthusiasm, effort, or determination; carelessly lazy
lacking in vitality, force, or conviction; not impressive
using very few words; terse to the point of seeming blunt
one who falls behind or lags noticeably slower than others
to criticize or scold harshly
Questions about “levity”
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