Dictionary
1gallant
noun gal·lant \gə-ˈlant, gə-ˈlänt, ˈga-lənt\
Definition of GALLANT
1
: a young man of fashion
2

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First Known Use of GALLANT
14th century
Related to GALLANT
- Synonyms
- beau, Beau Brummell, buck, dude, fop, dandy, jay, lounge lizard, macaroni, pretty boy, toff [chiefly British]
2gallant
adjective gal·lant \ˈga-lənt (usually in sense 2); gə-ˈlant, gə-ˈlänt (usually in sense 3)\
: showing courage : very brave
: large and impressive
: having or showing politeness and respect for women
Full Definition of GALLANT
1
: showy in dress or bearing : smart
2
3
: courteously and elaborately attentive especially to ladies
— gal·lant·ly adverb
See gallant defined for English-language learners
Origin of GALLANT
Middle English galaunt, from Middle French galant, from present participle of galer to have a good time, from Old French, from gale pleasure, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English wela weal — more at weal
First Known Use: 15th century
Related to GALLANT
- Synonyms
- bold, courageous, dauntless, doughty, fearless, brave, greathearted, gutsy, gutty, heroic (also heroical), intrepid, lionhearted, manful, stalwart, stout, stouthearted, undauntable, undaunted, valiant, valorous
- Antonyms
- chicken, chickenhearted, chicken-livered, coward, cowardly, craven, dastardly, fainthearted, fearful, gutless, lily-livered, milk-livered [archaic], nerveless, poltroon, poor-spirited, pusillanimous, spineless, spiritless, timorous, uncourageous, ungallant, unheroic, weakhearted, yellow
Synonym Discussion of GALLANT
civil, polite, courteous, gallant, chivalrous mean observant of the forms required by good breeding. civil often suggests little more than the avoidance of overt rudeness <owed the questioner a civil reply>. polite commonly implies polish of speech and manners and sometimes suggests an absence of cordiality <if you can't be pleasant, at least be polite>. courteous implies more actively considerate or dignified politeness <clerks who were unfailingly courteous to customers>. gallant and chivalrous imply courteous attentiveness especially to women. gallant suggests spirited and dashing behavior and ornate expressions of courtesy <a gallant suitor of the old school>. chivalrous suggests high-minded and self-sacrificing behavior <a chivalrous display of duty>.
3gallant
verb gal·lant \gə-ˈlant, -ˈlänt\
Definition of GALLANT
transitive verb
1
: to pay court to (a lady) : attend <used to gallant her in his youth — Washington Irving>
2
obsolete : to manipulate (a fan) in a modish manner
intransitive verb
: to pay court to ladies
First Known Use of GALLANT
1672
Gallant
biographical name Gal·lant \ga-ˈlant\
Definition of GALLANT
Mavis 1922– originally Mavis de Trafford Young Canad.-Fr. writer
Rhymes with GALLANT
aslant, bacchant, bacchante, bezant, courante, decant, descant, displant, eggplant, enceinte, enchant, explant, extant, face-plant, fire ant, formant, gallant, gas plant, grandaunt, houseplant, ice plant, implant, incant, jade plant, land grant, leadplant, levant, Levant, musk plant, pieplant, pissant, plainchant, pourpoint, preplant, recant, red ant, replant, savant, seed plant, snow plant, supplant, transplant, white ant
GALLANT Defined for Kids
gallant
adjective gal·lant \ˈga-lənt\
Definition of GALLANT for Kids
1
: showing courage : very brave <a gallant soldier>
2
: chivalrous 2 <a gallant knight>
3
\gə-ˈlant, -ˈlänt\ : very polite to women <He offered her his seat in a gallant gesture.>
4
: splendid or stately <a gallant ship>
5
: showy in dress or in the way of acting <He was a gallant figure in his uniform.>
— gal·lant·ly adverb
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