gallant

¹ American  

[gal-uhnt, guh-lant, -lahnt, gal-uhnt, guh-lant, -lahnt, gal-uhnt, guh-lant, -lahnt] / ˈgæl ənt, gəˈlænt, -ˈlɑnt, ˈgæl ənt, gəˈlænt, -ˈlɑnt, ˈgæl ənt, gəˈlænt, -ˈlɑnt /

adjective

1. brave, spirited, noble-minded, or chivalrous.

   a gallant knight; a gallant rescue attempt.

   Synonyms:

   intrepid, daring, bold, heroic, courageous, valorous

2. exceptionally polite and attentive to others, especially to women; courtly.

   Synonyms:

   courteous, chivalrous

3. stately; grand.

   a gallant pageant.

4. showy, colorful, or stylish, as in dress; magnificent.

5. amorous; amatory.

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noun

1. a brave, noble-minded, or chivalrous man.

2. a man exceptionally attentive to women.

3. a stylish and dashing man.

4. a suitor or lover.

5. a paramour.

verb (used with object)

1. to court or act as a lover of (a woman).

2. to escort (a woman).

verb (used without object)

1. to attend or pay court as a gallant.

Gallant ² American  

[gal-uhnt] / ˈgæl ənt /

noun

1. Mavis, 1922–2014, Canadian short-story writer.

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gallant British  

adjective

1. brave and high-spirited; courageous and honourable; dashing

   a gallant warrior

2. (of a man) attentive to women; chivalrous

3. imposing; dignified; stately

   a gallant ship

4. archaic showy in dress

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noun

1. a woman's lover or suitor

2. a dashing or fashionable young man, esp one who pursues women

3. a brave, high-spirited, or adventurous man

verb

1. to court or flirt (with)

2. (tr) to attend or escort (a woman)

Related Words

See brave.

Other Word Forms

• gallantly adverb
• gallantness noun
• quasi-gallant adjective
• supergallant adjective
• supergallantness noun
• ungallant adjective

Etymology

Origin of gallant

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English gala(u)nt, from Old French galant, present participle of galer “to amuse oneself, make merry,” from unattested Gallo-Romance walāre, derivative of unattested Frankish wala “good, happy”; well ¹, weal ¹

Example Sentences

On the way to a fancy ball, his gallant attempt to guide his date past a fetid puddle ends with him splashing her “from head to foot with that filthy water.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

It is primarily a civilian award, but it may be awarded to military personnel for gallant conduct that is not in "the face of the enemy".

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

Similarly, not all Faithfuls are gallant, as is confirmed by Michael Rapaport’s rabid behavior.

From Salon • Jan. 28, 2026

A history of gallant women is the history of the world.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 1, 2026

And Britain’s Royal Air Force, in a gallant and furious fight against the Luftwaffe, turned out to be a stronger opponent than Germany had expected.

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein

Related Words

• courageous
• courtly
• fearless
• gritty
• heroic
• honorable
• noble
• plucky
• quixotic
• valiant