noun
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conspicuous courage, esp in war
the gallantry of the troops
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polite attentiveness to women
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a gallant action, speech, etc
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of gallantry
1600–10; < Middle French galanterie, equivalent to Old French galant ( see gallant) + -erie -ry
Explanation
Gallantry is an old-fashioned word for brave behavior in a man, especially on the battlefield. Another meaning for gallantry is an extreme form of courtesy and respect towards women, often referred to as chivalry, and the two words are used interchangeably. The most famous examples of gallantry and chivalry can be found in the stories of the mythical King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, who were always fighting other knights for the favor of a fair princess's hand.
Vocabulary lists containing gallantry
Talk Like Shakespeare Day, List 1
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"The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak, Part Four
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A Streetcar Named Desire
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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.
Roberts-Smith won the Victoria Cross -- Australia's highest military honour -- for "conspicuous gallantry" in Afghanistan while on the hunt for a senior Taliban commander.
From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026
It is alive, it exists, you know people who are gallant, have witnessed gallantry and understand at this point that it is deeply countercultural.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 1, 2026
Sir Frank was a highly-decorated officer who won the Military Cross twice for his service in Kenya and Malaya and was awarded a CBE for gallantry during his time in Northern Ireland.
From BBC • Jan. 4, 2024
In France she met and married another exile, Bronislav Sossinsky, who had won the highest medal for gallantry in the White Army that fought against the Bolsheviks in Russia's Civil war.
From Reuters • Jul. 26, 2023
I want gallantry from her, swash buckling, heroism, single-handed combat.
From "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood
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.
