Definition of gallant
1
:a young man of fashion
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Examples of gallant in a Sentence
he was quite a gallant, primping more than either of his sisters
she had a whole host of gallants vying for her hand in marriage
Recent Examples of gallant from the Web
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Housewives surrendered their gold jewelry in a gallant, but futile attempt to restore the nation’s solvency.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'gallant.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of gallant
Definition of gallant
1
:showy in dress or bearing :smart
c
:nobly chivalrous and often self-sacrificing
3
:courteously and elaborately attentive especially to ladies
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gallantly
adverbExamples of gallant in a Sentence
The defenders of the fort made a gallant stand.
They failed to reach the summit, but they made a gallant attempt.
He greeted her with a gallant bow.
He offered her his seat in a gallant gesture.
Recent Examples of gallant from the Web
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Indeed, but for the prolonged resistance of the gallant Belgian Army, the evacuation of the BEF from Dunkirk would have been impossible.
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Bess Bridges (Amanda Forman) is a barmaid who inspires the love of floppy-haired gallant Spencer (Zach Livingston).
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Captain Wentworth, just returned from glorious exploits in the Navy, plays the gallant flirt to everyone but Anne, who broke his heart years before and has regretted it ever since.
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But Anaheim survived the rest of the power play, thanks to a gallant effort by Nate Thompson, who dived right in front of a grenade launched by Klefbom.
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His gallant initiative and heroic conduct in the face of extreme peril reflect the highest credit upon Pfc.
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The lights are all up front, where the finished product of our toil goes marching by to gallant music, marching by to France and to glory and beyond.
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Those who fell and those who survived have given to this and to future generations an example of high idealism, courageous service and gallant achievement.
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At first, you'll be dazzled by Leo's sweeping chivalry and gallant romantic gestures.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'gallant.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Did You Know?
In the late 14th century, Middle English adopted "galaunt" (now spelled "gallant") from Middle French galant, a participial form of the verb galer, meaning "to have a good time." This origin is more apparent in the earliest uses of the English "gallant," both as a noun meaning "a man of fashion" and as an adjective meaning "marked by show, color, smartness, or splendor especially in dress." French galer is related to "gale" ("pleasure, merrymaking") which has also entered the language, by way of Italian, as "gala" ("a festive celebration"). Middle English also had a noun "gale" which meant "singing, merriment, or mirth" (and is unrelated to the "gale" used to indicate a strong current of air) which may also have been related to Old French gale.
Origin and Etymology of gallant
Middle English galaunt, borrowed from Middle French galant, from present participle of galer "to squander in pleasures, have a good time, enjoy oneself," going back to Old French, going back to Gallo-Romance *walāre, derivative of Old Low Franconian *wala "well, with good appearance or effect," going back to Germanic *welō — more at 3well
gallant Synonyms
Synonyms
bold, courageous, dauntless, doughty, fearless, brave, greathearted, gutsy, gutty, heroic (also heroical), intrepid, lionhearted, manful, stalwart, stout, stouthearted, undauntable, undaunted, valiant, valorousAntonyms
chicken, chickenhearted, chicken-livered, coward, cowardly, craven, dastardly, fainthearted, fearful, gutless, lily-livered, milk-livered [archaic], nerveless, poltroon, poor-spirited, pusillanimous, spineless, spiritless, timorous, uncourageous, ungallant, unheroic, weakhearted, yellowRelated Words
determined, firm, game, gamy (or gamey), gritty, plucky, resolute, Spartan, undeterred, undismayed, unflinching, unswerving; mettlesome, spirited, spunky; adventuresome, adventurous, audacious, daring, dashing, hardy, venturesome, venturous; crazy, foolish, half-witted, insane, lunatic, mad, nutty; brash, brazen, daredevil, foolhardy, heedless, hotheaded, impetuous, imprudent, impulsive, incautious, madcap, overbold, overconfident, rash, reckless, thoughtless, wild; hasty, headlong, precipitate; comforted, emboldened, encouraged, heartened, reassured, unafraidNear Antonyms
diffident, mousy (or mousey), scary, shy, skittish, timid; anxious, apprehensive, nervous; careful, cautious, heedful, prudent, unadventurous; afraid, agitated, disconcerted, disquieted, disturbed, frightened, horrified, panicked, panic-stricken, perturbed, scared, shocked, spooked, startled, terrified, terrorized, unnerved, upset; appalled, concerned, dismayed, worried; unmanly, weak, wimpySynonym Discussion of gallant
civil, polite, courteous, gallant, chivalrous mean observant of the forms required by good breeding. civil often suggests little more than the avoidance of overt rudeness.
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- owed the questioner a civil reply
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- if you can't be pleasant, at least be polite
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- clerks who were unfailingly courteous to customers
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- a gallant suitor of the old school
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- a chivalrous display of duty
Definition of gallant
transitive verb
1
:to pay court to (a lady) :attend
- used to gallant her in his youth
- —Washington Irving
2
obsolete
:to manipulate (a fan) in a modish manner
intransitive verb
:to pay court to ladies
Origin and Etymology of gallant
GALLANT Defined for English Language Learners
GALLANT Defined for Kids
Definition of gallant for Students
1
:showing courage :very brave
- a gallant soldier
2
:chivalrous 2
- a gallant knight
3
\gə-ˈlant, -ˈlänt\
:very polite to women
- He offered her his seat in a gallant gesture.
4
:splendid or stately
- a gallant ship
5
:showy in dress or in the way of acting
- He was a gallant figure in his uniform.
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gallantly
adverbLearn More about gallant
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See words that rhyme with gallant Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for gallant Spanish Central: Translation of gallant Nglish: Translation of gallant for Spanish speakers
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