cavalier

[ kav-uh-leer, kav-uh-leer ]

noun

1. a horseman, especially a mounted soldier; knight.
2. one having the spirit or bearing of a knight; a courtly gentleman; gallant.
3. a man escorting a woman or acting as her partner in dancing.
4. (initial capital letter) an adherent of Charles I of England in his contest with Parliament.

adjective

1. haughty, disdainful, or supercilious:

   an arrogant and cavalier attitude toward others.

   Synonyms: uncaring, condescending, thoughtless, offhand, indifferent

2. offhand or unceremonious:

   The very dignified officials were confused by his cavalier manner.

3. (initial capital letter) of or relating to the Cavaliers.
4. (initial capital letter) of, relating to, or characteristic of the Cavalier poets or their work.

verb (used without object)

1. to play the cavalier.
2. to be haughty or domineering.

Cavalier

¹

/ ˌkævəˈlɪə /

noun

1. a supporter of Charles I during the English Civil War Compare Roundhead

cavalier

²

/ ˌkævəˈlɪə /

adjective

1. showing haughty disregard; offhand

noun

1. a gallant or courtly gentleman, esp one acting as a lady's escort
2. archaic.
   a horseman, esp one who is armed

Derived Forms

• ˌcavaˈlierly, adverb

Other Words From

• cava·lierism cava·lierness noun
• cava·lierly adverb
• uncav·a·lier adjective
• uncav·a·lierly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of cavalier¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Middle French: “horseman, knight,” from Old Italian cavaliere, from Old Provençal, from Late Latin caballārius “man on horseback,” equivalent to Latin caball(us) “horse” ( capercaillie ) + -ārius -ary

Word History and Origins

Origin of cavalier¹

C16: from Italian cavaliere, from Old Provençal cavalier, from Late Latin caballārius rider, from caballus horse, of obscure origin

Example Sentences

USC has had no trouble making the incredible look cavalier over the past week, ever since its narrow season-opening win over Mississippi.

From Los Angeles Times

“Such callous disregard for others and cavalier use of violence cannot and will not be tolerated. These defendants will now appropriately face justice for their crimes.”

From Los Angeles Times

He crashed six sixes and was too cavalier in looking for a seventh to be out in the over before tea.

From BBC

The vice president railed against Donald Trump's recent comments that people opposed to his presidency represented an "enemy within" the United States and his cavalier attitude toward calling in the military on American citizens.

From Salon

Troye said the Trump officials’ response was cavalier for a policy that ended up having sweeping consequences for thousands of children.

From Salon

Related Words

• condescending
• curt
• disdainful
• haughty
• offhand
• supercilious