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Does flippant Have a Positive or Negative Connotation?
Flippant is believed to come from flip, which, in turn, is a supposed imitation of the sound of something flipping. The earliest senses of the adjective are "nimble" and "limber." One can be flippant not only on one's feet but in speech—that is to say, their words flow easily. Such flippancy was considered a good thing at first; however, people who speak freely can sometimes seem too talkative, and even impertinent. The positive sense of flippant has slipped from use, but the "disrespectful" sense still flows.
Synonyms
Examples of flippant in a Sentence
Mordecai Richler, GQ, November 1997
… although she is neither solemn nor pontifical, she may be the least flippant advice columnist in the business.
—Ray Olson, Booklist, 1 May 1991
Despite its flippant name, the Greed Index has proven a remarkably prescient barometer of the market during the past 16 years.
—Richard E. Rustin, Wall Street Journal, 29 May 1984
He made a flippant response to a serious question.
his flippant comment that the poor save on taxes offended many people
Jen Chaney, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2024
On the Kyle Meredith With… podcast, Hale said that his character is supposed to represent the flippant, sexist culture of the 1970s.
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 25 Oct. 2024
To veer away from this register runs the risk of sounding flippant, even cruel.
—Rhian Sasseen, The Atlantic, 14 Oct. 2024
On the other hand, Harris has been criticized for making flippant comments.
—Elaine Mallon, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 19 Sep. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Flippant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flippant. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
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flippant
adjective
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