cavalier
2 synonyms and 3 antonyms for cavalier, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Careless or dismissive about something that actually matters; offhand to the point of recklessness.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adj
Careless or dismissive about something that actually matters; offhand to the point of recklessness.
“He took a cavalier attitude toward the safety regulations.”
Opposites
How to use cavalier
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a cavalier attitude
cavalier disregard for
treat something in a cavalier manner
Etymology
From Middle French cavalier ("horseman"), tracing back through Italian and Occitan to Latin caballus ("horse"). A doublet of "chevalier" and "caballero."
Full origin of cavalier →Frequently asked questions
What does “cavalier” mean?
The word “cavalier” means careless or dismissive about something that actually matters; offhand to the point of recklessness. In plain terms, as an adjective, it means careless or too casual about something serious; as a noun, it originally meant a horseman or a 17th-century royalist supporter of Charles I.
How do you pronounce “cavalier”?
“Cavalier” is pronounced ka-vuh-LIH (/ˈkæ.vəˌlir/ in IPA).
How do you use “cavalier” in a sentence?
Here is “cavalier” used in a sentence: “He took a cavalier attitude toward the safety regulations.”
What part of speech is “cavalier”?
Depending on how it is used, “cavalier” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “cavalier” come from?
The word “cavalier” comes from Latin. From Middle French cavalier ("horseman"), tracing back through Italian and Occitan to Latin caballus ("horse"). A doublet of "chevalier" and "caballero.".
Is “cavalier” a common word?
“Cavalier” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “cavalier” have?
“Cavalier” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: careless or dismissive about something that actually matters; offhand to the point of recklessness.
