cavalry
2 synonyms and 0 antonyms for cavalry, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Soldiers who fight from horseback, or, in modern armies, troops who move by fast, light vehicles.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use cavalry
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Middle French cavalerie, via Italian cavalleria. In English since the 1540s; a doublet of "chivalry."
Full origin of cavalry →Frequently asked questions
What does “cavalry” mean?
The word “cavalry” means soldiers who fight from horseback, or, in modern armies, troops who move by fast, light vehicles. In plain terms, soldiers who fight on horseback (or, today, in fast vehicles) — also used loosely for any rescuer who shows up right on time.
How do you pronounce “cavalry”?
“Cavalry” is pronounced KA-vuhl-ree (/ˈkæ.vəl.ɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “cavalry” in a sentence?
Here is “cavalry” used in a sentence: “The cavalry charged across the open field at dawn.”
What part of speech is “cavalry”?
“Cavalry” is a noun.
Where does the word “cavalry” come from?
The word “cavalry” dates back to around 1540 and comes from Middle French. From Middle French cavalerie, via Italian cavalleria. In English since the 1540s; a doublet of "chivalry.".
Is “cavalry” a common word?
“Cavalry” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “cavalry” have?
“Cavalry” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: soldiers who fight from horseback, or, in modern armies, troops who move by fast, light vehicles.
What is the difference between cavalry and infantry?
Cavalry refers to soldiers who fight from horseback, or in modern armies, troops who move using fast, light vehicles, while infantry refers to soldiers who fight on foot. The key distinction is the cavalry's reliance on speed and mobility.
What does it mean when someone says "the cavalry arrived"?
Figuratively, saying "the cavalry arrived" means that help arrived just in time to save the day, a meaning that extends from the historical military role of cavalry providing timely reinforcement in battle.
Does "cavalry" still refer to horses in modern armies?
Not typically. While cavalry originally meant horseback soldiers, modern armies use the term for troops who move by fast, light vehicles rather than horses.