cavalier

American  

[kav-uh-leer, kav-uh-leer] / ˌkæv əˈlɪər, ˈkæv əˌlɪər /

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.

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adjective

1. haughty, disdainful, or supercilious.

   an arrogant and cavalier attitude toward others.

   Synonyms:

   condescending , thoughtless , uncaring , 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 British  

/ ˌkævəˈlɪə /

adjective

1. showing haughty disregard; offhand

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noun

1. a gallant or courtly gentleman, esp one acting as a lady's escort

2. archaic  a horseman, esp one who is armed

Cavalier ² British  

/ ˌkævəˈlɪə /

noun

1. a supporter of Charles I during the English Civil War Compare Roundhead

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Other Word Forms

• cavalierism noun
• cavalierly adverb
• cavalierness noun
• uncavalier adjective
• uncavalierly adverb

Etymology

Origin of cavalier

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

Example Sentences

A stunned England woke Sunday to savage criticism after their meek capitulation in the first Ashes Test, branded "brainless" and "damaged" by former greats after their cavalier approach backfired.

From Barron's

I think of the cavalier way Republican lawmakers have denied claims about the detention camp’s conditions.

From Salon

Judge Vanessa Francis said that the pair had a "cavalier attitude" and were equally culpable.

From BBC

The Tory MP was highly critical of Lord Cameron, who made the decision to hold the referendum after pressure from Eurosceptics, saying he had been "extremely cavalier".

From BBC

Their batting was sensible, rather than cavalier, yet the hosts still scored in excess of four an over.

From BBC

Related Words

• condescending
• curt
• disdainful
• haughty
• offhand
• supercilious