gallivant

verb

gal·​li·​vant ˈga-lə-ˌvant 

variants or less commonly galavant

gallivanted also galavanted; gallivanting also galavanting; gallivants also galavants

intransitive verb

1

informal : to travel, roam, or move about for pleasure

been gallivanting all over town

2

dated, informal : to go about usually ostentatiously or indiscreetly with members of the opposite sex

Did you know?

Back in the 14th century, gallant, a noun borrowed from the French word galant, referred to a fashionable young man. By the middle of the next century, it was being used more specifically to refer to such a man who was attentive to, and had a fondness for, the company of women. In the late 17th century, this “ladies’ man” sense gave rise to the verb gallant to describe the process a suitor used to win a lady’s heart, and “gallanting” became synonymous with “courting.” It’s this verb gallant that is the likely source of gallivant, which originally meant “to act as a gallant” or “to go about usually ostentatiously or indiscreetly with members of the opposite sex.” Today, however, gallivant is more likely to describe pleasurable wandering than romancing.

Synonyms

• bat
• cruise
• drift
• float
• gad (about)
• kick around
• knock (about)
• maunder
• meander
• mooch
• ramble
• range
• roam
• rove
• traipse
• wander

Examples of gallivant in a Sentence

They've been gallivanting all over town.

He's been gallivanting around the country when he ought to be looking for a job.

Recent Examples on the Web

The film is all gun-toting, door-busting, gallivanting action. —Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 17 Aug. 2024

The slouchy, relaxed silhouette offers ultimate comfort — a must when gallivanting around town. —Kelsey Stewart, Travel + Leisure, 30 Sep. 2024

Jono and Ellie have since been papped gallivanting around Sydney, smooching up a storm over beaches and brunches. —Alexandra Koster, refinery29.com, 24 Mar. 2024

Ignoring the state’s crises and residents’ hardship, the governor selected to gallivant around the country to promote himself on national television and introduce himself to voters in battleground states. —Tom Lackey, Orange County Register, 9 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

perhaps extended form of gallant entry 3

First Known Use

1823, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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Kids Definition

gallivant

verb

gal·​li·​vant

variants also galavant

ˈgal-ə-ˌvant

informal

: to travel or roam about for pleasure