gallivant

or gal·a·vant

[ gal-uh-vant, gal-uh-vant ]
See synonyms for: gallivantgallivanter on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)
  1. to wander about, seeking pleasure or diversion; gad.

  2. to go about frivolously and publicly with multiple romantic partners.

Origin of gallivant

1
First recorded in 1815–25; perhaps fanciful alteration of gallant
  • Rarely gal·i·vant .

Other words from gallivant

  • gal·li·vant·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use gallivant in a sentence

  • Surely, a designer working towards showtime wouldn't have the time to spend galavanting?

    Kanye Not Showing In Paris | Isabel Wilkinson | September 21, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
  • You go galavanting off to tea with no regard for my feelings.

  • This is a fine thing, this is, keeping me watching and waiting these hours, while you have been galavanting—ah!

    Talkers | John Bate
  • Your father and your uncle Asa and Bill off galavanting around and fighting when they ought to be protecting their home!

    The Little Regiment | Stephen Crane

British Dictionary definitions for gallivant

gallivant

galivant or galavant

/ (ˈɡælɪˌvænt) /


verb
  1. (intr) to go about in search of pleasure; gad about

Origin of gallivant

1
C19: perhaps whimsical modification of gallant

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012