cavalier

1 of 2

adjective

cav·​a·​lier ˌka-və-ˈlir How to pronounce cavalier (audio)
1
: marked by or given to offhand and often disdainful (see disdain entry 1) dismissal of important matters
a cavalier attitude toward money
has a cavalier disregard for the rights of others
2
3
a
capitalized : of or relating to the party of Charles I of England in his struggles with the Puritans and Parliament
b
: aristocratic
portrayed the plantation owner as a cavalier fop
c
capitalized : of or relating to the English Cavalier poets of the mid-17th century
cavalierism noun
cavalierly adverb

cavalier

2 of 2

noun

1
: a gentleman trained in arms and horsemanship
2
: a mounted soldier : knight
3
capitalized : an adherent of Charles I of England
4
: a lady's escort or dancing partner : gallant

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The Evolution of Cavalier

The adjective cavalier comes from a noun referring to a gentleman or knight who is trained in arms and horsemanship. The noun traces back to Latin caballārius, meaning "horseback rider" or "groom." It is also used for "a swaggering fellow," and English Puritans used it disdainfully to their adversaries, the swashbuckling royalist followers of Charles I, who sported longish hair and swords. Their use undoubtedly contributed to the adjective's reference to a rather unbecoming quality.

Examples of cavalier in a Sentence

Adjective They are too cavalier in their treatment of others. She has a cavalier attitude about spending money. He has a cavalier disregard for the rights of others. Noun a novel about the dashing cavaliers and gracious ladies of the South before the Civil War
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer’s cavalier attitude about regretting her vote for San Diego Imam Taha Hassane’s appointment to the Leon Williams Human Rights Commission is one example. Doris Bittar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Mar. 2024 Honnold also strategizes with two other experienced climbers, Hazel Findlay and Mikey Schaefer, who share his enthusiasm but might not be as cavalier about the dangers associated with this particular climb, which includes having rock fragments rain down on those below. Brian Lowry, CNN, 3 Feb. 2024 The second question is whether BF’s seemingly cavalier attitude toward your discomfort with the dog is a dealbreaker. Haben Kelati, Washington Post, 14 Feb. 2024 But some wondered if comedians would be so cavalier cracking jokes about other deadly conditions, such as cancer or cystic fibrosis. Jason Mast Reprints, STAT, 20 Dec. 2023 But while that kind of cavalier comedy earned wide praise, a devoted audience, and even an Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy, Variety or Music, its also caused controversy and led to friction with the censors at CBS. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 27 Dec. 2023 Cuteness, which is arguably why dogs like pugs, French bulldogs, cavalier King Charles spaniels, and English bulldogs are bred to have flat faces, is one problem. Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 15 Dec. 2023 And men have this cavalier attitude about health issues. Alexis Jones, Peoplemag, 25 Oct. 2023 If the claim succeeds, Musk could be compelled to hand back some of his fortune and potentially to reconsider his cavalier view of legal threats. Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 20 Nov. 2023
Noun
Next came a waltz between all the debutantes and their fathers, who were passed onto their cavaliers for dancing with a live band. Kristen Bateman, Vogue, 27 Nov. 2023 Harrowhark Nonagesimus, having become a powerful immortal necromancer, or Lyctor, at the cost of her cavalier’s life, is fighting battles on several fronts. New York Times, 25 Nov. 2020 The refined sensibilities of his hippos stand in touching contrast to their obvious tonnage, and his pen line — though never forgetting their impossible weight and size — endows them with the grace and airiness of a ballerina and her cavalier. Amy Bloom, New York Times, 29 Mar. 2018 Ian Hussey as her cavalier was dashing, his soloing and partnering both solid. Ellen Dunkel, Philly.com, 10 Dec. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cavalier.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

from attributive use of cavalier entry 2

Noun

borrowed from French, "horseback rider, member of the gentry bearing arms, gallant," going back to Middle French, borrowed from later medieval Italian cavallere, cavaleru, cavalliere "horseback rider, mounted soldier, courtly gentleman accompanying a lady," borrowed from Old Occitan cavalier "horseman, mounted soldier, knight," going back to Late Latin caballārius "horseback rider, groom" (early Medieval Latin also "serf performing duties on horseback, mounted soldier"), from Latin caballus "work horse, gelding" + -ārius -ary entry 1 — more at cavalcade

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1641, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cavalier was in 1589

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Dictionary Entries Near cavalier

Cite this Entry

“Cavalier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cavalier. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

cavalier

1 of 2 noun
cav·​a·​lier ˌkav-ə-ˈli(ə)r How to pronounce cavalier (audio)
1
: a mounted soldier : knight
2
: a brave and courteous gentleman

cavalier

2 of 2 adjective
1
: lighthearted and charming in manner
2
: having an unconcerned or disdainful attitude about important matters
cavalierly adverb
cavalierness noun
Etymology

Noun

from early French cavalier "cavalier," from early Italian cavaliere (same meaning), derived from Latin caballarius "horseman," from earlier caballus "horse" — related to cavalry, chivalry see Word History at chivalry

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