gallivant

verb

gal·li·vant | \ˈga-lə-ˌvant

variants: or less commonly galavant

gallivanted also galavanted; gallivanting also galavanting; gallivants also galavants

Definition of gallivant

intransitive verb

1 informal : to travel, roam, or move about for pleasure been gallivanting all over town

2 dated, informal : to go about usually ostentatiously or indiscreetly with members of the opposite sex

Synonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about gallivant

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Did You Know?

Back in the 14th century, a young man of fashion (or a ladies' man) was called a gallant. By the late 1600s, gallant was being used as a verb to describe the process a paramour used to win a lady's heart; to gallant became a synonym of "to court." Etymologists think that the spelling of the verb gallant was altered to create gallivant, which originally meant "to act as a gallant" or "to go about usually ostentatiously or indiscreetly with members of the opposite sex." Nowadays, however, gallivant is more likely to describe wandering than romancing.

Examples of gallivant in a Sentence

They've been gallivanting all over town. He's been gallivanting around the country when he ought to be looking for a job.

Recent Examples on the Web

Johnston fled to the United States, gallivanting from Detroit to Los Angeles to Salt Lake City to Denver. — Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Fox News, "Man who robbed bank 60 years ago returns to scene of crime for a meal, glass of champagne," 17 Aug. 2018 High-level quarterbacks don’t usually gallivant around the league like this. — Andrew Beaton, WSJ, "The NFL’s Quarterback Musical Chairs," 10 Sep. 2018 England was not among the top 10 nations in ticket sales before the tournament, but the team's progress caused gallivanting supporters to flock to Moscow. — Ronald Blum, The Christian Science Monitor, "Croatia will make its first-ever appearance in World Cup final," 12 July 2018 The video sees both Galantis and Uffie gallivanting around Tokyo after the friendly trio meets up in a crowded sidewalk. — Kat Bein, Billboard, "Galantis Takes Uffie To New Places With 'Spaceship': Watch," 18 May 2018 Kane collected 81% of the 22,930 votes, with the gallivanting Kieran Trippier behind him in second place with just 8%. — SI.com, "Fans Vote England's Harry Kane as Man of the Moment After Treble in Spectacular Win Over Panama," 25 June 2018 That’s exactly what the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office said after one of its deputies was forced to wrangle a gallivanting bull recently. — Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, "Texas Deputy “Grabs Bull By The Horns,” Escorts Gallivanting Longhorn Safely Home," 23 May 2018 The corgis gallivanted in front of onlookers and enacted a wedding of their own, á la the upcoming nuptials of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on May 19. — Raisa Bruner, Time, "Corgis Dressed Up As a Prince Harry and Meghan Markle for a Royal Wedding of Their Own," 8 May 2018 Cole Sprouse and Lili Reinhart were recently in Paris for a French Riverdale convention, and while gallivanting around town, were photographed holding hands and kissing in a restaurant and on the street, Elle reports. — Emily Wang, Teen Vogue, "Cole Sprouse and Lili Reinhart Were Spotted Kissing in Paris," 4 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'gallivant.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

9 Dec 2018

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Time Traveler for gallivant

The first known use of gallivant was in 1823

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More Definitions for gallivant

gallivant

verb

English Language Learners Definition of gallivant

: to go or travel to many different places for pleasure

See the full definition for gallivant in the English Language Learners Dictionary

gallivant

verb

gal·li·vant | \ˈga-lə-ˌvant\

gallivanted; gallivanting

Kids Definition of gallivant

: to travel from place to place doing things for pleasure “Abandoning … his four little children to go gallivanting off on wild adventures …”— Madeleine L'Engle, A Wrinkle in Time