dalliance

noun

dal·​li·​ance ˈda-lē-ən(t)s 

: an act of dallying: such as

a

: play

especially : amorous play

had several dalliances before getting married

b

: frivolous action : trifling

had a brief dalliance with acting

Synonyms of dalliance

• 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

Even its pricey dalliance with the NFL has favored the particular (a Christmas Day doubleheader) over the general (the Sunday afternoon national window). —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 18 Mar. 2026

Now impotent as a result, Jan pushes Bess to find new lovers and tell him about her dalliances with them, an odyssey that eventually drives Bess to madness. —David Sims, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026

The Bears have publicly made their dalliance with Indiana known since at least December, and Johnson has not put up much of a fight in all that time. —David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026

Let’s enter a homosexual dalliance free from the constraints of body and society—no worries if not! —Reanna Cruz, Pitchfork, 12 Mar. 2026

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