dalliance

noun

dal·​li·​ance ˈda-lē-ən(t)s 

: an act of dallying: such as

a

: play

especially : amorous play

had dalliances with several women before getting married

b

: frivolous action : trifling

had a brief dalliance with acting

Synonyms

• frolic
• frolicking
• fun
• fun and games
• play
• recreation
• relaxation
• rollicking
• sport

Examples of dalliance in a Sentence

an extremely serious scientist who is not much given to dalliance or idle chitchat

Recent Examples on the Web

The story line is primarily a way to explore Annie’s insecurities, with Hughie made to feel guilty and regretful about his dalliance with the doppelgänger instead of ever getting to process his own reaction to the revelation. —Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 21 Feb. 2025

His dalliances with the psychedelic drug DMT and his experiments with holistic treatment modalities have mushroomed into anti-vax rhetoric and aggressive scientific skepticism. —Brady Brickner-Wood, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2025

And yet Dylan’s own dalliances with substances started soon afterward, beginning with an interest in booze and weed and escalating very quickly to a dependence on Oxy 80s. —Barrett Swanson, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025

Behind him, Pierre-Luc Dubois has returned to form with 20 points in his past 23 games, distancing himself somewhat from a disastrous dalliance with the Kings last season. —Andrew Knoll, Orange County Register, 13 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

dalliance

noun

dal·​li·​ance ˈdal-ē-ən(t)s 

1

: play entry 1 sense 2

especially : the act of flirting

2

: action lacking in importance or seriousness

a short dalliance with politics