cavalier

American  

[kav-uh-leer, kav-uh-leer] / ˌkæv əˈlɪər, ˈkæv əˌlɪər /

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.

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adjective

1. haughty, disdainful, or supercilious.

   an arrogant and cavalier attitude toward others.

   Synonyms:

   condescending, thoughtless, uncaring, 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 British  

/ ˌkævəˈlɪə /

adjective

1. showing haughty disregard; offhand

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noun

1. a gallant or courtly gentleman, esp one acting as a lady's escort

2. archaic a horseman, esp one who is armed

Cavalier ² British  

/ ˌkævəˈlɪə /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• cavalierism noun
• cavalierly adverb
• cavalierness noun
• uncavalier adjective
• uncavalierly adverb

Etymology

Origin of cavalier

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” ( cf. capercaillie) + -ārius -ary

Explanation

Someone who is cavalier has a dismissive attitude and regards other people as inferior. If you think you know more than your teacher and never bother doing homework, your parents might complain that you are cavalier about your studies. The word cavalier dates from mid-16th-century French, from the Latin caballus, meaning “horse.” If you have a cavalier attitude, you look down on other people — as if you are sitting on a very tall horse and other people are sitting down there on the ground.

Example Sentences

In columns and on TV, he warns that Hegseth’s cavalier attitude toward the rule of law and civilian protections is corroding military professionalism.

From Salon • Mar. 11, 2026

Oh, you want me to become a cavalier, because this is still the most prestigious role in the army?

From Slate • Mar. 2, 2026

While the narrative glides along the original contours—Johnny grows warmer to Linda and reveals an unworshipful, even cavalier attitude to money-making that stirs trouble—Mr. Greenberg has rewritten virtually every line of the play.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 19, 2026

They’re in their 20s, cavalier, naughty and learning.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 2, 2025

He's so smug with his half explanations, and so cavalier about the fact that he's dragged me into this.

From "Girl in the Blue Coat" by Monica Hesse

Related Words

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