Cavalier
/ˌkævəˈlɪər/
Definitions
2 meaningsA knight or a horseman; a gentleman.
/ˌkævəˈlɪər/
A knight or horseman.
The painting depicted a dashing cavalier.
💡 Simply: A cavalier is like a brave knight who rides a horse.
👶 For kids: A long time ago, a cavalier was a brave knight who rode a horse!
More Examples
He acted with the air of a cavalier.
How It's Used
"The cavalier charged into battle."
Showing an offhand or nonchalant manner; disdainfully or arrogantly unconcerned.
/ˌkævəˈlɪər/
Showing a lack of concern; offhand.
His cavalier dismissal of her concerns angered her.
💡 Simply: To be cavalier is to be careless and not worry about the feelings of others.
👶 For kids: Being cavalier means not caring enough.
More Examples
She had a cavalier attitude towards her work.
How It's Used
"His cavalier attitude towards safety concerns was alarming."
"She treated the matter with a cavalier disregard for the consequences."
From Middle French *cavalier*, from Old French *cavaler*, from Medieval Latin *caballarius* "horseman, knight", from Latin *caballus* "horse". The word evolved from its original meaning of 'horseman' to encompass the associated qualities of knights, such as nonchalant bravery and disregard for others' feelings.
Originally referring to horsemen and knights, the word's meaning shifted over time to encompass the perceived nonchalant bravery associated with that social class.
Memory tip
Think of a knight on a horse, bravely and casually riding into battle.