Choose the correct antonym of the following underlined word:
The chairman's little joke provided a rare moment of levity in an otherwise dreary meeting.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → gravity
- Levity means humour or lack of seriousness, especially at a time when seriousness is expected. It comes from the Latin levis (light). The chairman's little joke brought a light, humorous moment into a dull meeting.
Example: His jokes added a touch of levity to the long speech. - Gravity means great seriousness or solemnity. It comes from the Latin gravis (heavy). Seriousness is the opposite of lack of seriousness, so gravity is the antonym of levity.
Example: The judge spoke with great gravity before passing the sentence.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: volatility — Incorrect. Volatility means a tendency to change suddenly and unpredictably; it is not about humour or seriousness.
Example: The volatility of the share market worried small investors.
Option 2: buoyancy — Incorrect. Buoyancy (of mood) means cheerfulness and lightness of spirit; it is close in meaning to levity, not its opposite.
Example: Her natural buoyancy helped her get over the defeat.
Option 3: lightness — Incorrect. Lightness (of mood) means a cheerful, carefree quality; it is a synonym of levity, not an antonym.
Example: There was a lightness in her voice after the good news.
| Synonyms (Levity) | Antonyms (Levity) |
|---|---|
| lightness | gravity |
| frivolity | seriousness |
| flippancy | solemnity |
| light-heartedness | earnestness |
The following words have also been asked in other CUET (UG) English papers:
| Word | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| levity | – | 02-06 S2 | – | – | – |
| gravity | 26-05 S1 | – | – | – | – |