chivalrous

American  

[shiv-uhl-ruhs] / ˈʃɪv əl rəs /

adjective

1. having the qualities of chivalry, as courage, courtesy, and loyalty.

   Synonyms:

   devoted, true, faithful, courtly, valiant, dauntless, fearless

   Antonyms:

   disloyal, rude, cowardly

2. considerate and courteous to women; gallant.

3. gracious and honorable toward an enemy, especially a defeated one, and toward the weak or poor.

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chivalrous British  

/ ˈʃɪvəlrəs /

adjective

1. gallant; courteous

2. involving chivalry

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Other Word Forms

• chivalrously
  adverb
• chivalrousness
  noun
• nonchivalrous
  adjective
• nonchivalrously
  adverb
• nonchivalrousness
  noun
• superchivalrous
  adjective
• superchivalrously
  adverb
• superchivalrousness
  noun
• unchivalrous
  adjective
• unchivalrously
  adverb
• unchivalrousness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of chivalrous

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English chevalrous, from Middle French chevalerous, equivalent to chevalier chevalier + -ous -ous

Explanation

A person who is courteous and attentive can be described as chivalrous: “The chivalrous stranger picked up the packages Veronica dropped and held the door open while she entered the apartment building.” The word chivalrous originally described gallantry, valor, honor, and courtesy, associated with the medieval code of knighthood. Medieval knights are no longer with us, but chivalrous has survived in modern usage, usually to describe a man — or a behavior — showing courtesy or attentiveness toward women. So the guy holding the door open for you with a flourish may or may not be your “knight in shining armor," but his chivalrous act gives him something in common with the medieval knights of lore.

Example Sentences

Chivalrous men surrendered prime bridge viewing spots to women and girls and stepped to the bank, Wadsworth said.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 29, 2023

Chivalrous and vociferous defenders of the girls will argue the lop-sided results in the early stages of a tournament prove little about the core quality of the field.

From The Guardian • Jan. 18, 2011

In Dresser Drawer, Recalling a Chivalrous Steinbrenner Michael Schriner contacted The Times this week about the friendship between his mother, Mary Jane Schriner, and when they were teenagers in Ohio.

From New York Times • Jul. 16, 2010

Chivalrous instructions When the Shooting Stars finally started their tightly drilled practice routines, a further delay of half an hour was prompted by discovering that both teams were wearing white tops.

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2010

Chivalrous sentiment by no means involves perfect purity, nor even a lofty conception of the true meaning of purity.

From Hours in a Library New Edition, with Additions. Vol. II (of 3) by Stephen, Leslie, Sir