gallivant
Americanverb (used without object)
-
to wander about, seeking pleasure or diversion; gad.
-
to go about frivolously and publicly with multiple romantic partners.
verb
Other Word Forms
- gallivanter noun
Etymology
Origin of gallivant
First recorded in 1815–25; perhaps fanciful alteration of gallant
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.
The nursing home was loud with laughter that morning as the old folks watched them gallivanting out there in the snow.
From Literature
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"The mill must keep working, Bronden. We cannot close it down to gallivant whenever we please."
From Literature
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In the week before the Opening Ceremony, he gallivanted around Italy in a jacket with the national slogan on the sleeve: “Go Mongolia.”
Which brings us full circle, back to our gallivanting governor.
From Los Angeles Times
But even without that recognition, Bailey has captured our hearts in whatever time period, love story or dance number he masterfully gallivants into without a worry.
From Salon
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.