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

At the time, Wrightsman was dating socialite Martha Kemp, but when he was hospitalized for lip cancer, Kemp was off gallivanting while Jayne maintained a bedside vigil throughout his illness. — Hamish Bowles, Vogue, "Hamish Bowles Remembers Jayne Wrightsman, Esteemed Arts Connoisseur and Legendary Hostess," 24 Apr. 2019 Additionally, that two naive teens would just go gallivanting around with little to no regard to their plans or safety. — Rachel Epstein, Marie Claire, "#ReadWithMC Reviews Fiona Barton's 'The Suspect'," 4 Mar. 2019 How did this couple go from gallivanting at furniture stores in fancy sweatpants to breaking up in such a short span? — Christopher Rosa, Glamour, "Here Is the Full, Confusing Saga of Ariana Grande and Pete Davidson's Breakup," 15 Oct. 2018 Spooner gallivanted about Greece in bright yellow Calvin Klein briefs, Prada bucket hats, and his signature sheer shirts, of course. — Rachel Hahn, Vogue, "Forget Lindsay Lohan: Casey Spooner Is Having the Chicest Greek Vacation Ever," 14 Sep. 2018 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

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

29 Apr 2019

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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

somewhat informal + often disapproving : 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