cavalier
Americannoun
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a horseman, especially a mounted soldier; knight.
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one having the spirit or bearing of a knight; a courtly gentleman; gallant.
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a man escorting a woman or acting as her partner in dancing.
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(initial capital letter) an adherent of Charles I of England in his contest with Parliament.
adjective
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haughty, disdainful, or supercilious.
an arrogant and cavalier attitude toward others.
- Synonyms:
- condescending, thoughtless, uncaring, offhand, indifferent
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offhand or unceremonious.
The very dignified officials were confused by his cavalier manner.
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(initial capital letter) of or relating to the Cavaliers.
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(initial capital letter) of, relating to, or characteristic of the Cavalier poets or their work.
verb (used without object)
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to play the cavalier.
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to be haughty or domineering.
adjective
noun
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a gallant or courtly gentleman, esp one acting as a lady's escort
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archaic a horseman, esp one who is armed
noun
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
For a profitless private company eyeing the public markets for the first time, OpenAI this week was remarkably cavalier toward a charismatic megafauna of the Hollywood ecosystem, Disney.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026
In columns and on TV, he warns that Hegseth’s cavalier attitude toward the rule of law and civilian protections is corroding military professionalism.
From Salon • Mar. 11, 2026
Oh, you want me to become a cavalier, because this is still the most prestigious role in the army?
From Slate • Mar. 2, 2026
They’re in their 20s, cavalier, naughty and learning.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 2, 2025
Though she applauds their self-confidence, Letitia Lundeen, the antiques dealer, says she is sometimes appalled by what she considers the cavalier ignorance of some women who are suddenly rich.
From "Class Matters" by The New York Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
