philander

verb

phi·​lan·​der fə-ˈlan-dər 

philandered; philandering fə-ˈlan-d(ə-)riŋ 

intransitive verb

: to have casual or illicit sex with a person or with many people

especially : to be sexually unfaithful to one's spouse

—usually used of a man

… her philandering brother-in-law; and … the schoolteacher he philanders with.

—Judith Crist

Synonyms

• cheat
• screw around
• step out

Examples of philander in a Sentence

he can't seem to stop philandering, even now that he's on his fifth marriage

Recent Examples on the Web

The choice of Offenbach’s loony comedy about a pair of starving Peruvian artists and their manipulation by a powerful philandering viceroy was the recommendation of mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard — who sings the title role with disarming comedic chops to rival her formidable pipes. —Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2024

James Crumbley's wife, Jennifer, was convicted on Feb. 6 following a two-week trial that portrayed her as a selfish and philandering mother who spent more time on her horse hobby than with her son, ignored the teen’s mental health needs and supported his obsession with guns. —Tresa Baldas, Detroit Free Press, 15 Mar. 2024

Then the story shifts back in time to 1965 Gary, Ind., where the cruel, physically violent and philandering family patriarch Joe Jackson forms the Jackson 5 from five of his nine children. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2024

First among the swans is Babe Paley (Naomi Watts), wife to philandering former CBS titan William Paley (the late Treat Williams, exceptionally blustery) and Capote’s ostensibly perfect best friend. —Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Jan. 2024

Emily Blunt shines in a relatively small role as Kitty Oppenheimer, who suffered from depression and had a volatile relationship with her philandering husband, but remained fiercely loyal to him. —Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 5 Aug. 2023

Continents away in England, Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman) has grown frustrated with her philandering husband, who is in Australia selling their massive cattle ranch, Faraway Downs. —Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 21 Nov. 2023

Parisian bon vivant, World War II resistance fighter, Nobel Prize-winning playwright, philandering husband and recluse, Beckett lived a life of many parts. —Leo Barraclough, Variety, 21 Sep. 2023

Unfortunately for Josie, her most ardent crush, cheerleader Isabel (Havana Rose Liu), is philandering Jeff’s girlfriend. —Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2023

Word History

Etymology

from obsolete philander lover, philanderer, probably from the name Philander

First Known Use

1737, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

philander

verb

phi·​lan·​der fə-ˈlan-dər 

philandered; philandering -d(ə-)riŋ 

: to be sexually unfaithful to one's wife

philanderer

-dər-ər 

noun