gallantry

noun

gal·​lant·​ry ˈga-lən-trē 

plural gallantries

1

archaic : gallant appearance

2

a

: an act of marked courtesy

b

: courteous attention to a lady

c

: amorous attention or pursuit

3

: spirited and conspicuous bravery

Synonyms

• bottle [British slang]
• bravery
• courage
• courageousness
• daring
• daringness
• dauntlessness
• doughtiness
• fearlessness
• greatheartedness
• guts
• gutsiness
• hardihood
• heart
• heroism
• intestinal fortitude
• intrepidity
• intrepidness
• moxie
• nerve
• pecker [chiefly British]
• prowess
• stoutness
• valor
• virtue

Examples of gallantry in a Sentence

Many women were charmed by his old-fashioned gallantry.

commended the rescuers for their gallantry

Recent Examples on the Web

The convergence of reason and gallantry, of irony and affection, struck a teasing tone. —Merve Emre, New Yorker, 16 June 2025

Written with filmmaker Matt Yoka, Possession marries the Band’s Americana with T. Rex’s fuzzy glam, anchored by Segall’s always-stellar guitar gallantry. —Dan Reilly, Vulture, 20 May 2025

His offense: saving the damned with the melancholic gallantry of a real angel of history. —Harmony Holiday, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025

Prince William is stepping out with King Charles and Queen Camilla to recognize recipients of the U.K.'s highest honors for gallantry. —Janine Henni, People.com, 1 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French galanterie, from galant gallant entry 1 + -erie -ery

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

gallantry

noun

gal·​lant·​ry ˈgal-ən-trē 

plural gallantries

1

a

: an act of notable courtesy

b

: courteous attention to a woman

2

: notable bravery