plural dalliances
1
: an action that is not serious
—often + with
After a brief dalliance with acting, she pursued a law career.
2
literary
: a romantic or sexual relationship that is brief and not serious
He had dalliances [=(more commonly) affairs, (less formally) flings] with several women before he met his wife.
sexual dalliances
Cite this Entry
“Dalliance.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/dalliance. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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