SKIP TO CONTENT

cavalier

/ˌˈkævəˌlɪər/
/kævəˈlɪə/
IPA guide

Other forms: cavaliers

Someone who is cavalier has a dismissive attitude and regards other people as inferior. If you think you know more than your teacher and never bother doing homework, your parents might complain that you are cavalier about your studies.

The word cavalier dates from mid-16th-century French, from the Latin caballus, meaning “horse.” If you have a cavalier attitude, you look down on other people — as if you are sitting on a very tall horse and other people are sitting down there on the ground.

Definitions of cavalier
  1. adjective
    given to haughty disregard of others
    synonyms: high-handed
    domineering
    tending to domineer
  2. noun
    a gallant or courtly gentleman
    synonyms: chevalier
    see moresee less
    type of:
    male aristocrat
    a man who is an aristocrat
Pronunciation
US
/ˌˈkævəˌlɪər/
UK
/kævəˈlɪə/
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

Copy citation
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘cavalier'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family