philander

[ fi-lan-der ]

verb (used without object)

1. (especially of a man) to have many casual sexual encounters or affairs, especially when married or in a committed relationship.

   Synonyms: womanize, dally, trifle

philander

/ fɪˈlændə /

verb

1. introften foll bywith (of a man) to flirt with women

Derived Forms

• phiˈlanderer, noun
• phiˈlandering, nounadjective

Other Word Forms

• phi·lan·der·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of philander¹

First recorded in 1675–85; from Greek phílandros “one who loves” (of a woman, loving her husband); philo-, andro-; later used in fiction as a proper name for a lover, and apparently mistaken as “a man who loves”

Word History and Origins

Origin of philander¹

C17: from Greek philandros fond of men, from philos loving + anēr man; used as a name for a lover in literary works

Example Sentences

Like the power-mongering and philandering Zeus of mythology, they are unhappy when their bad deeds are pointed out.

From Salon

He reportedly mismanaged two conservative veterans organizations and was forced out of both, drank heavily and philandered, but he’s reformed, he claims.

From Los Angeles Times

By all accounts, Biden is a more devout Catholic and a more devoted family man than the philandering JFK.

From Salon

Josh, what was that like working alongside so much talent while playing Douglas Dellacorte, a philandering husband who always seems on the brink of ruin?

From Los Angeles Times

She remained loyal to him to the bitter end — despite the fact “La Côte Basque” included embarrassing details about a woman named “Jane Baxter” whose doomed marriage to a philandering comedian clearly resembled her own.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• womanize