Definition of CAVALIER (original) (raw)
1
: marked by or given to offhand and often disdainful (see disdain entry 1) dismissal of important matters
a cavalier attitude toward money
has a cavalier disregard for the rights of others
3
a
capitalized : of or relating to the party of Charles I of England in his struggles with the Puritans and Parliament
b
portrayed the plantation owner as a cavalier fop
c
capitalized : of or relating to the English Cavalier poets of the mid-17th century
1
: a gentleman trained in arms and horsemanship
3
capitalized : an adherent of Charles I of England
4
: a lady's escort or dancing partner : gallant
Did you know?
Mount up, fellow language caballeros! We think you’ll agree that the origins of cavalier make a great deal of horse sense. The noun cavalier—which traces back to the Late Latin word caballārius, meaning “horseback rider,” and even further to the Latin word for “work horse,” _caballus_—originally referred to a gentleman or knight trained in arms and horsemanship. The adjective trotted into English just a few decades after the noun, first describing those thought to embody qualities of gallantry and suaveness associated with such soldiers. However, the English Puritans later applied the noun with disdain to their adversaries, the swashbuckling royalist followers of Charles I, who sported longish hair and swords. Their use undoubtedly contributed to the adjective’s “flippant” sense, which is now the most common. To saddle someone (or their behavior, attitude, etc.) with the descriptor today is to say that they do not demonstrate the expected or required care for serious matters.
Synonyms
Examples of cavalier in a Sentence
Adjective
They are too cavalier in their treatment of others. She has a cavalier attitude about spending money. He has a cavalier disregard for the rights of others. Noun
a novel about the dashing cavaliers and gracious ladies of the South before the Civil War
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
According to a Vet Explains Pets article by Dr. Jess Kirk, the breeds that are more suited for living with small animals like rabbits include golden retrievers, cavalier king Charles spaniels, pugs, beagles, and poodles, among others. —
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025 Solano’s sentiment was shared Monday morning by other industry leaders and by former diplomatic officials who saw the cavalier way in which Colombia’s economic lifeline was being discussed — and potentially ruined — on social media as highly irresponsible. —Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2025
The event kicked off with an opening dance, before the debutantes lined up for a waltz with their fathers, who were then passed onto their cavaliers for dancing with a live band. —Kristen Bateman, Vogue, 1 Dec. 2024 Opal is described as a 5-pound red/brown cavapoo — a mix of a King Charles cavalier and a poodle. —Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for cavalier 
Word History
Etymology
Adjective
from attributive use of cavalier entry 2
Noun
borrowed from French, "horseback rider, member of the gentry bearing arms, gallant," going back to Middle French, borrowed from later medieval Italian cavallere, cavaleru, cavalliere "horseback rider, mounted soldier, courtly gentleman accompanying a lady," borrowed from Old Occitan cavalier "horseman, mounted soldier, knight," going back to Late Latin caballārius "horseback rider, groom" (early Medieval Latin also "serf performing duties on horseback, mounted soldier"), from Latin caballus "work horse, gelding" + -ārius -ary entry 1 — more at cavalcade
First Known Use
Adjective
circa 1641, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Noun
1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of cavalier was in 1589
Dictionary Entries Near cavalier
Cite this Entry
“Cavalier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cavalier. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
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Last Updated: 9 Feb 2025 - Updated example sentences
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