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.
adjective
- marked by inappropriate levity; frivolous or offhand
- impertinent; saucy
- obsolete talkative or nimble
c.1600, “talkative;” 1670s, “displaying unbecoming levity,” apparently an extended form of flip (v.). Shortened form flip is attested from 1847. Related: Flippantly.