gallant

¹

[ adjective gal-uhnt guh-lant, -lahnt, gal-uhnt noun guh-lant, -lahnt, gal-uhnt; verb guh-lant, -lahnt ]

adjective

1. brave, spirited, noble-minded, or chivalrous:

   a gallant knight; a gallant rescue attempt.

   Synonyms: intrepid, daring, bold, heroic, courageous, valorous

2. exceptionally polite and attentive to others, especially to women; courtly.

   Synonyms: courteous, chivalrous

3. stately; grand:

   a gallant pageant.

4. showy, colorful, or stylish, as in dress; magnificent.
5. amorous; amatory.

noun

1. a brave, noble-minded, or chivalrous man.
2. a man exceptionally attentive to women.
3. a stylish and dashing man.
4. a suitor or lover.
5. a paramour.

verb (used with object)

1. to court or act as a lover of (a woman).
2. to escort (a woman).

verb (used without object)

1. to attend or pay court as a gallant.

Gallant

²

[ gal-uhnt ]

noun

1. Mavis, 1922–2014, Canadian short-story writer.

gallant

adjective

1. brave and high-spirited; courageous and honourable; dashing

   a gallant warrior

2. ɡəˈlæntˈɡælənt (of a man) attentive to women; chivalrous
3. imposing; dignified; stately

   a gallant ship

4. archaic.
   showy in dress

noun

1. a woman's lover or suitor
2. a dashing or fashionable young man, esp one who pursues women
3. a brave, high-spirited, or adventurous man

verb

1. whenintr, usually foll by with to court or flirt (with)
2. tr to attend or escort (a woman)

Derived Forms

• ˈgallantly, adverb
• ˈgallantness, noun

Other Words From

• gal·lant·ly adverb
• gal·lant·ness noun
• qua·si-gal·lant adjective
• su·per·gal·lant adjective
• su·per·gal·lant·ness noun
• un·gal·lant adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gallant¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English gala(u)nt, from Old French galant, present participle of galer “to amuse oneself, make merry,” from unattested Gallo-Romance walāre, derivative of unattested Frankish wala “good, happy”; well ¹, weal ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of gallant¹

C15: from Old French galant, from galer to make merry, from gale enjoyment, pleasure, of Germanic origin; related to Old English wela weal ²

Synonym Study

See brave.

Example Sentences

Anything else was unthinkable against a gallant but limited side ranked 64th in the world and without a point in this Uefa Nations League Group B2.

From BBC

If only our decade had a gallant narrative for the history books to counterbalance all of the sleaziness, like when the Continental Army took over airports during the Revolutionary War.

From Los Angeles Times

It was “glass half-full” analysis of a poor show, hopefully a gallant attempt to keep spirits up otherwise it veered dangerously close to delusion.

From BBC

During one futile counterattack, “the French infantry made a gallant show, advancing across the Belgian beet fields with colors unfurled and bugles sounding the shrill notes of the ‘charge.’

From Literature

It looks at once inviting and familiar — almost like your most gallant grandfather’s jacket from the days he used to go out dancing with your grandma — and polished and elegant.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• courageous
• courtly
• fearless
• gritty
• heroic
• honorable
• noble
• plucky
• quixotic
• valiant