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: 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

/ 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

Cavalier

²

/ ˌkævəˈlɪə /

noun

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

Other Word Forms

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

Meanwhile, the Cavaliers did what they wanted on offense, helped by Hamilton’s refusal to punt on fourth down.

From Los Angeles Times

The victory means the NBA finals will go to game seven for the first time since 2016, when the Cleveland Cavaliers won their first Championship with a 4-3 series win against the Golden State Warriors.

From BBC

And the Timberwolves have been capitalizing late all season, Minnesota outscoring teams by the second most points in the fourth quarter, behind only the Cleveland Cavaliers.

From Los Angeles Times

That said, she and the now-Cleveland Cavalier are friends and co-parent their kids.

From Los Angeles Times

G: The Cavaliers would win more regular-season games than the Celtics.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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