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); 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."

Example Sentences

"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

But it was one thing to free a horse-thief, and another to stop and "philander" with him.

From Openings in the Old Trail by Harte, Bret

Human nature is human nature still, whether it fawn in the court or philander in the grove.

From Rattlin the Reefer by Marryat, Frederick

Related Words

• womanize