dalliance

[dal-ee-uhns, dal-yuhns]

noun

1. a trifling away of time; dawdling.

2. amorous toying; flirtation.

dalliance

/ ˈdælɪəns /

noun

1. waste of time in frivolous action or in dawdling

2. an archaic word for flirtation

Word History and Origins

Origin of dalliance¹

First recorded in 1300–50, dalliance is from the Middle English word daliaunce. See dally, -ance

Example Sentences

Rather, the dalliance between left and right is taking place at the margins where a mutual disgust for liberalism fuels the romance.

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Former Democratic presidential candidate Gary Hart’s extramarital dalliance — on a yacht called Monkey Business, no less — kept Carson’s audience rolling for weeks.

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If this is my ideal Sunday, a f— buddy or a casual dalliance would come over, and we would have sex.

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It’s the ghost of Blanche’s husband, who shot himself after she shamed him for his dalliance with another man.

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His second marriage appears to be shaky, his attempt to take a third wife hit the buffers and there are also reports of another dalliance with a young princess.

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Related Words

• fling