philander
Americanverb (used without object)
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philanders,
present (3rd person singular)
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philandered,
past participle, past
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philandering
present participle
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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philandersimple
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philanderssimple
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have philanderedperfect
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has philanderedperfect
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am philanderingprogressive
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are philanderingprogressive
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is philanderingprogressive
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have been philanderingperfect progressive
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has been philanderingperfect progressive
Past
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philanderedsimple
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had philanderedperfect
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was philanderingprogressive
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were philanderingprogressive
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had been philanderingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of philander
First recorded in 1675–85; from Greek phílandros “one who loves” (of a woman, loving her husband); see philo-, andro-; later used in fiction as a proper name for a lover, and apparently mistaken as “a man who loves”
Explanation
To philander is to flirt or casually date a large number of people. If you philander, you don't have one steady, serious relationship, but instead dabble in many casual ones. It's most common to say that a man philanders when he is excessively flirtatious or cheats on his partner with many other people. The word has both a sense of sneakiness and lightheartedness, and it comes from the now-obsolete noun philander, "husband" or "lover." The name Philander, in fact, was popular in 18th century literature for the character of a lover, from the Greek word philandros, "with love for the people."
Vocabulary lists containing philander
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.
See Examples For:
"It says 'accept certain inalienable truths - prices will rise, politicians will philander and you too will get old'."
From BBC ● Jan. 24, 2026
He did not drink or philander; his first marriage ended in an amicable divorce after twelve years, and his second lasted until his death in 1965.
From Time Magazine Archive
“Don’t mean to have any. It’s fun to watch other people philander, but I should feel like a fool doing it myself,” said Jo, looking alarmed at the thought.
From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott
Do you think I'm going to let you hustle for wages while I philander in the regions of high art?
From The Four Million by O. Henry
And I would not sacrifice my dinner to philander with Helen of Troy herself.'
From The Explorer by W. Somerset (William Somerset) Maugham
I mean that she is clever and very rich, and philanders with philanthropy.
From Hollyhock A Spirit of Mischief by W. (William) Rainey
Mine uncle, on his bowling-green, Still storms a breach in Flanders; And faithful Trim, starch, tall, and lean, With Bridget still philanders.
From A Selection from the Works of Frederick Locker by Hannah Jane Locker-Lampson
While the men in the family philandered, Eunice spurned the wooing of her faithful suitor Sargent Shriver for seven years and came close to taking vows of chastity.
From Washington Post ● Apr. 13, 2018
In Paris, Lulu philandered crazily with gamblers, procurers and swindlers.
From Time Magazine Archive
The fellow had philandered round her some time, and had shown an insolent and interfering temper once or twice towards himself.
From Harvest by Mrs. Humphry Ward
In half an hour he and Aunt Elizabeth had philandered as deep as a six months' flirtation; and I must say that they have kept at it with an art amounting almost to sincerity.
From The Whole Family: a Novel by Twelve Authors by Mary Raymond Shipman Andrews
Do you remember the sundial over which Dolly and Mr. Carter philandered, the one which bore the motto— Horas non numero nisi serenas?
From Penguin Persons & Peppermints by Walter Prichard Eaton
Born in 1929 to a wealthy and conservative family -- by her account with a domineering mother and philandering father -- Kusama began producing her unique signature art aged 10.
From Barron's ● Aug. 27, 2026
Rhoda is less interested in Max’s disloyalty to Leonie than in the tales of Ana’s philandering, profligate father, a Maltese artist who raised her after her Italian mother died during childbirth.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026
Marilyn White speaks of Maurice with great affection while eventually admitting that his philandering ended their relationship.
From Salon ● Jun. 7, 2026
Mozart turns redemption into transcendence in “Figaro,” as a jealous yet philandering count finds his soul.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 29, 2026
“I am not a philandering man, and you know that. This would not have happened if my mother didn’t have a hand!”
From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
