gallivant

or gal·a·vant

[ gal-uh-vant, gal-uh-vant ]

/ ˈgæl əˌvænt, ˌgæl əˈvænt /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR gallivant ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object)

to wander about, seeking pleasure or diversion; gad.

to go about with members of the opposite sex.

Nearby words

gallipot, gallium, gallium arsenide, gallium-67, gallium-68, gallivant, galliwasp, gallnut, gallo, gallo-, gallo-romance

Origin of gallivant

First recorded in 1815–25; perhaps fanciful alteration of gallant

Related forms

gal·li·vant·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for gallivant

Thwicket had left two minutes before, having learned that Gallivant was at the Savarin.
Tin-Types Taken in the Streets of New York|Lemuel Ely Quigg
Quivering with excitement, Mr. Gallivant started forth in further search.
Tin-Types Taken in the Streets of New York|Lemuel Ely Quigg
Early in 1888, as I said before, Mr. Gallivant's mustaches began to curl.
Tin-Types Taken in the Streets of New York|Lemuel Ely Quigg
Brother Wright, de pastor, comes to see me, as I'm too feeble to gallivant so far to church.
Slave Narratives: a Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves|Work Projects Administration

Mr. Gallivant slid into his overcoat, prinked up his scarlet tie, and walked breezily into Wall Street.
Tin-Types Taken in the Streets of New York|Lemuel Ely Quigg

British Dictionary definitions for gallivant

gallivant

galivant or galavant

/ (ˈɡælɪˌvænt) /

verb

(intr) to go about in search of pleasure; gad about

Word Origin for gallivant

C19: perhaps whimsical modification of gallant

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012