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

• relaxation
• recreation
• fun
• amusement
• entertainment
• enjoyment

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

And this was no fleeting dalliance, but a relationship of real meaning, as evidenced by the 50-year-old cheering them on inside the Allianz Arena last month, as PSG finally won a first Champions League, demolishing Inter Milan 5-0 in the process. —Glen Levy, CNN Money, 30 June 2025

The 32-team Club World Cup that begins Saturday night in Miami Gardens, Fla., will count as a large step up from those dalliances. —Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 June 2025

And, much like Snoop Dogg’s mediocre Iz It a Crime, Wayne only makes glancing mention of his dalliance with Donald Trump. —Mosi Reeves, Rolling Stone, 9 June 2025

Worse, the president’s dalliance with Monica Lewinsky, an intern, came to light in early 1998, fueling a political firestorm that crippled the White House. —William J. Broad, New York Times, 19 May 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