philander

[ fi-lan-der ]

/ fɪˈlæn dər /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR philander ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object)

(of a man) to make love with a woman one cannot or will not marry; carry on flirtations.

Nearby words

philadelphia lawyer, philadelphia pepper pot, philadelphia scrapple, philadelphus, philae, philander, philanderer, philandering, philanthropic, philanthropist, philanthropize

Origin of philander

1675–85; < 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”

SYNONYMS FOR philander

trifle, dally, womanize.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR philander ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

phi·lan·der·er, noun

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

Examples from the Web for philandering

Given his philandering reputation, it is perhaps unsurprising that there are several people who claim to be his offspring.
Spanish Court To Consider Paternity Claims Against Former King Juan Carlos|Tom Sykes|December 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Don returns to his philandering ways, leaving Megan to quietly wonder where her husband has gone.
Every Woman Don Draper’s Hooked Up With on ‘Mad Men’|Amy Zimmerman|April 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And French heads of state have a very long record of philandering.
French President’s Love Life Enters the E.R. With His First Lady Hospitalized|Christopher Dickey|January 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Her shortlisted novel, Swimming Home, follows a “philandering poet” as he takes a family holiday in the French Riviera.
Literary City: Deborah Levy’s London|Henry Krempels|February 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST

So from sexy vampires to philandering physicians, we count down the most seemingly inappropriate Sesame Street spoofs.
10 Most Inappropriate ‘Sesame Street’ Spoofs (VIDEO)|Kevin Fallon|September 27, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Why didn't you say that at first, instead of philandering along about art.
Roads of Destiny|O. Henry
Here was a nice result of his philandering, he thought bitterly.
Tourmalin's Time Cheques|F. Anstey
But, while home is not exciting, somehow I'd rather be here than philandering on the mountain in the moonlight with Richie!
The Story Of Julia Page|Kathleen Norris
If our young men do not turn this Scotch girl's head with their philandering, send her to me and I will use her kindly.
The Little Red Foot|Robert W. Chambers
"I thought perchance he might be of a philandering disposition," said Bumpo humbly.
The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle|Hugh Lofting

British Dictionary definitions for philandering

philander

/ (fɪˈlændə) /

verb

(intr often foll by with) (of a man) to flirt with women

Derived Forms

philanderer, nounphilandering, noun, adjective

Word Origin for philander

C17: from Greek philandros fond of men, from philos loving + anēr man; used as a name for a lover in literary works

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