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

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

This dalliance is in addition to Carême’s more recreational entanglements, principally a love triangle between himself, ladies’ maid Henriette (Lyna Khoudri) and sous-chef Agathe (Alice Da Luz). —Alison Herman, Variety, 30 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