chivalrous
Americanadjective
-
having the qualities of chivalry, as courage, courtesy, and loyalty.
-
considerate and courteous to women; gallant.
-
gracious and honorable toward an enemy, especially a defeated one, and toward the weak or poor.
adjective
-
gallant; courteous
-
involving chivalry
Other Word Forms
- chivalrously adverb
- chivalrousness noun
- nonchivalrous adjective
- nonchivalrously adverb
- nonchivalrousness noun
- superchivalrous adjective
- superchivalrously adverb
- superchivalrousness noun
- unchivalrous adjective
- unchivalrously adverb
- unchivalrousness noun
Etymology
Origin of chivalrous
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English chevalrous, from Middle French chevalerous, equivalent to chevalier chevalier + -ous -ous
Explanation
A person who is courteous and attentive can be described as chivalrous: “The chivalrous stranger picked up the packages Veronica dropped and held the door open while she entered the apartment building.” The word chivalrous originally described gallantry, valor, honor, and courtesy, associated with the medieval code of knighthood. Medieval knights are no longer with us, but chivalrous has survived in modern usage, usually to describe a man — or a behavior — showing courtesy or attentiveness toward women. So the guy holding the door open for you with a flourish may or may not be your “knight in shining armor," but his chivalrous act gives him something in common with the medieval knights of lore.
Vocabulary lists containing chivalrous
The Call of the Wild
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
National Spelling Bee '14: Prelims Round 3
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Vocabulary Video Contest (2013) - List 1
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
That's one of the things that struck me about it, this very old-timey chivalrous idea.
From Salon • Sep. 28, 2024
Now, scientists have observed a pair of chivalrous birds joining the conversation.
From Science Magazine • Mar. 25, 2024
Swift’s new beau added that he tries to be chivalrous on dates.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 19, 2023
Depp adjusts a phone cord near Camille Vasquez, his attorney, and the gesture is replayed in slow motion and exalted as a chivalrous deed.
From New York Times • May 26, 2022
“People. Suddenly, Bone Gap is full of concerned, chivalrous types with lots of extra toilet paper. Who knew?”
From "Bone Gap" by Laura Ruby
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
