philander
[fi-lan-der]
- (of a man) to make love with a woman one cannot or will not marry; carry on flirtations.
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Origin of philander
Synonyms
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for philandering
Contemporary Examples
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 CarlosTom Sykes
December 12, 2014
Don returns to his philandering ways, leaving Megan to quietly wonder where her husband has gone.
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 HospitalizedChristopher Dickey
January 12, 2014
Her shortlisted novel, Swimming Home, follows a “philandering poet” as he takes a family holiday in the French Riviera.
So from sexy vampires to philandering physicians, we count down the most seemingly inappropriate Sesame Street spoofs.
Historical Examples
The boy was philandering, junketing, somewhere on the Riviera.
Within the LawMarvin Dana
He was completely cured of philandering amongst the lower classes.
The Good SoldierFord Madox Ford
I certainly shouldn't, for I don't know what 'philandering' means.
A Phyllis of the SierrasBret Harte
We heard you come up the street, and saw you philandering on the front walk.
The Squirrel-CageDorothy Canfield
"No more of this man's philandering after you," he retorted.
The Beth BookSarah Grand
philander
- (intr often foll by with) (of a man) to flirt with women
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Word Origin
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
Word Origin and History for philandering
philander
v.
1737, from the noun meaning "a lover" (1700), from Philander, popular name for a lover in stories, drama, and poetry, from Greek adjective philandros "with love for people," perhaps mistaken as meaning "a loving man," from phil- "loving" (see philo-) + andr-, stem of aner "man" (see anthropo-). Related: Philandered; philandering.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper