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 Olympics’s dalliance with Esports has leveled up with the announcement that the first Olympic Esports Games will take place in Saudi Arabia in 2027. —Blythe Lawrence, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025

As the cycle proceeds toward the inevitable breakup—triggered, perhaps, by Lesbia’s dalliances during the year that Catullus was away working for Memmius—the poems of recrimination and spite, often eye-poppingly obscene, predominate. —Daniel Mendelsohn, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025

The dalliances with Kevin Durant have borne no fruit, but another run at him could come this summer with Phoenix expected to trade him. —Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2025

Iris and Walter also had a dalliance at one point, but settled into a friendship — his deepest, we’re told. —Lindsey Bahr, Twin Cities, 2 Apr. 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