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

This season, Penelope, so often a wallflower, finally steps into the limelight as her crush on Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) turns into a full-on dalliance. —Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 15 May 2024

There's a dalliance with a local, a motel room redecoration, and enough kooky hijinks to keep readers frantically flipping pages to find out where all of this leads. —Lizz Schumer, Peoplemag, 11 May 2024

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