dalliance

noun

dal·​li·​ance ˈda-lē-ən(t)s How to pronounce dalliance (audio)
: 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

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 Was Diana merely enjoying a dalliance after her divorce from Prince Charles? Clark Collis, EW.com, 21 Nov. 2023 The hearing, with testimony about cash stashes in homes, romantic dalliances and vacations to exotic locales, lent a soap opera feel to one of the most politically consequential prosecutions ever initiated by a county district attorney. Kate Brumback, arkansasonline.com, 17 Feb. 2024 Corralling all the debutante balls, starter marriages, and hush-hush dalliances of Capote’s inner circle demanded significant research—the bibliography of Capote’s Women is extensive—but the context only made Capote’s deception juicier. Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 25 Jan. 2024 But as China started looking to America for commerce and investment, its dalliance with the Islamic Republic waned. Christian Schneider, National Review, 21 Dec. 2023 By her own admission, all three of her children were likely bastards, the issue of her many dalliances with several lovers. Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 15 Jan. 2024 After their initial dalliance in a club, the two meet up again in hot pursuit of a baby-stealing Goblin (a baby that Ruby was looking after). Cameron K McEwan, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Dec. 2023 Suggestions of a youthful dalliance with Romanian fascism surfaced occasionally, but Eliade was known at the university as a generous colleague and teacher. Richard Babcock, WSJ, 4 Dec. 2023 Their relationship is the centerpiece of Cooper’s Maestro, which also shines a light on Bernstein’s dalliances with men. Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dalliance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dalliance was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near dalliance

Cite this Entry

“Dalliance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dalliance. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

dalliance

noun
dal·​li·​ance ˈdal-ē-ən(t)s How to pronounce dalliance (audio)
1
: play entry 1 sense 2
especially : the act of flirting
2
: action lacking in importance or seriousness
a short dalliance with politics

More from Merriam-Webster on dalliance

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