Levity
What it means
A brief lightness of mood or humor within a serious setting.
Reach for it when naming tactful comic relief that eases strain without denying it
A touch of levity helped the rescue crew reset before the next call.
Words to choose between 6
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| warm | |
| professional |
|
| formal | |
| literary |
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everyday
Fits when the general capacity to amuse is meant
Careful Humor may dominate a scene rather than merely lighten it.
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warm
Fits when a carefree mood is welcome for its own sake
Careful Lightheartedness can seem insensitive inside genuine crisis.
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warm
Fits when creative, teasing energy is the positive quality
Careful Playfulness may continue where a momentary easing is needed.
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professional
comic relief
Fits when a funny moment interrupts sustained tension
Careful Comic relief belongs more naturally to narrative or performance.
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formal
Fits when clever language produces the lightness
Careful Wit describes the means, not the relieved mood.
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literary
Fits when open festive amusement suits an elevated style
Careful Mirth is stronger and less restrained than levity.
Opposites 3
- solemnity
- gravity
- gloom
Common phrases 3
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moment of levity
A moment of levity released the tension in the waiting room.
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welcome levity
The host's gentle joke brought welcome levity after a dense lecture.
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touch of levity
A touch of levity made the safety lesson easier to remember.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Vealhurl, Southern England accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated