philander

American  

[fi-lan-der] / fɪˈlæn dər /

verb (used without object)

1. (especially of a man) to have many casual sexual encounters or affairs, especially when married or in a committed relationship.

   Synonyms:

   womanize , dally , trifle

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philander British  

/ fɪˈlændə /

verb

1. (of a man) to flirt with women

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Other Word Forms

• philanderer noun
• philandering noun

Etymology

Origin of philander

First recorded in 1675–85; from Greek phílandros “one who loves” (of a woman, loving her husband); philo-, andro-; later used in fiction as a proper name for a lover, and apparently mistaken as “a man who loves”

Example Sentences

And Polyneices being gay and Eteocles being something of a philander would be of more interest in an “Oedipus” limited series.

From Los Angeles Times

One forthcoming spectator confessed to being burdened with anger over her father’s philandering.

From Los Angeles Times

Restitution for taking a human life tends to be much costlier, but Maggie knows her pill-addicted, philandering husband will negotiate a way out of paying.

From Salon

The film delved into the loneliness of a woman trapped in a loveless marriage to a philandering, often tyrannical landlord in an opulent yet feudal world.

From BBC

Like the power-mongering and philandering Zeus of mythology, they are unhappy when their bad deeds are pointed out.

From Salon

Related Words

• womanize