flippant

adjective

frivolously disrespectful, shallow, or lacking in seriousness; characterized by levity: The audience was shocked by his flippant remarks about patriotism.

Chiefly Dialect. nimble, limber, or pliant.

Archaic. glib; voluble.

Origin:
1595–1605; apparently flip¹ + -ant

Related forms

flip·pan·cy, flip·pant·ness, noun

flip·pant·ly, adverb

un·flip·pant, adjective

un·flip·pant·ly, adverb

Synonyms
1. saucy, impertinent, impudent.

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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Relevant Questions

What Is Flip·pant?

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Flippant is a GRE word you need to know.

So is panegyric. Does it mean:

a lofty oration or writing in praise of a person or thing; an eulogy

understood by or meant for only the select few who have special knowledge or interest; recondite:

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Collins

World English Dictionary

flippant (ˈflɪpənt)

—*adj*
1.	marked by inappropriate levity; frivolous or offhand
2.	impertinent; saucy
3.	obsolete talkative or nimble

[C17: perhaps from flip]

'flippancy

—n

'flippantly

—*adv*

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

flippant

"displaying unbecoming levity," c.1600, apparently an extended form of flip (v.). Shortened form flip is attested from 1847. Related: Flippantly.

Example sentences

Bob, after reflecting on your response to my question it seems to me that you felt my question deserved a flippant response.

It is certainly too important to be dismissed in a flippant way.

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Related Words

persiflage

Matching Quote

"Lena Aysgarth: Johnnie, there's going to be no more borrowing.
Johnnie Aysgarth: Well, what else is there to do?
Lena: You've got to go to work.
Johnnie: Work!
Lena: Yes, work.
Johnnie: You mean put on old clothes, go out with a shovel.
Lena: Oh, don't be flippant.
Johnnie: Well, what do you mean? I'm afraid you're a bit of a dreamer darling. Let's be practical about this. Do you know statistics on unemployment? Do you realize that in order to be a plumber or a carpenter or an electrician, darling you haven't been around, they have to be an apprentice first, even after that—oh darling!"

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