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View synonyms for cavalier

cavalier

[ kav-uh-leer, kav-uh-leer ]

noun

  1. a horseman, especially a mounted soldier; knight.
  2. one having the spirit or bearing of a knight; a courtly gentleman; gallant.
  3. a man escorting a woman or acting as her partner in dancing.
  4. (initial capital letter) an adherent of Charles I of England in his contest with Parliament.


adjective

  1. haughty, disdainful, or supercilious:

    an arrogant and cavalier attitude toward others.

    Synonyms: uncaring, condescending, thoughtless, offhand, indifferent

  2. offhand or unceremonious:

    The very dignified officials were confused by his cavalier manner.

  3. (initial capital letter) of or relating to the Cavaliers.
  4. (initial capital letter) of, relating to, or characteristic of the Cavalier poets or their work.

verb (used without object)

  1. to play the cavalier.
  2. to be haughty or domineering.

Cavalier

1

/ ˌkævəˈlɪə /

noun

  1. a supporter of Charles I during the English Civil War Compare Roundhead
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


cavalier

2

/ ˌkævəˈlɪə /

adjective

  1. showing haughty disregard; offhand
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a gallant or courtly gentleman, esp one acting as a lady's escort
  2. archaic.
    a horseman, esp one who is armed
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˌcavaˈlierly, adverb
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Other Words From

  • cava·lierism cava·lierness noun
  • cava·lierly adverb
  • uncav·a·lier adjective
  • uncav·a·lierly adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of cavalier1

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Middle French: “horseman, knight,” from Old Italian cavaliere, from Old Provençal, from Late Latin caballārius “man on horseback,” equivalent to Latin caball(us) “horse” ( capercaillie ) + -ārius -ary
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Word History and Origins

Origin of cavalier1

C16: from Italian cavaliere, from Old Provençal cavalier, from Late Latin caballārius rider, from caballus horse, of obscure origin
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Example Sentences

The metrics are good, and I don’t say that with a cavalier attitude.

“That’s pretty startling stuff in there in terms of the laxity or almost cavalier attitude about” attorney conduct, Carpenter said.

They aren’t cavalier about the health risks but say something critical is at stake.

In an interview with Sports Illustrated years earlier, Salazar appeared cavalier about his own drug use.

From Fortune

Take into account fuel economy, parking, and the fact that you’ll probably still need a commuter car if you’re based in a big city, and that cavalier road-trip machine might start to feel like a logistics nightmare.

The mindsets of both Cavalier and Puritan took root in the New World, and the experiment launched in 1776 continues.

"There is a cost to such a cavalier attitude," said Aparício, the former Bolivian ambassador to Washington.

“Wrong station, mate, you want the next,” you tell a strapping boy in a cavalier cloak.

“Some reporters may take a cavalier attitude about being a martyr for a cause,” the friend added.

I'm afraid those who have been to war and daily diced with death are rather cavalier with their health.

The other was the spirited portrait of Baron von Friedericks, a happy combination of cavalier and soldier in its manly strength.

Like many another cavalier, he had a flame in every country, or rather, in every town which he visited.

She gave him a cavalier little nod, touched her horse with the whip, and a moment later was lost in a cloud of dust.

The old landed interest, the old Cavalier interest, had now no share in the favours of the Crown.

Cavalier traveled for the house, whose firm name appeared as "Fendant and Cavalier."

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CavalcantiCavalieri