gallant

12 synonyms and 3 antonyms for gallant, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Adj — Brave and honorable, especially in the face of danger.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

dude

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

swell beau dandy

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

squire sheik fop clotheshorse fashion plate knightly dashing chivalrous

Synonyms by Meaning

1. adj

Brave and honorable, especially in the face of danger.

“The soldiers made a gallant last stand.”

dude swell beau dandy squire sheik fop clotheshorse fashion plate knightly dashing chivalrous

Opposites

cowardly timorous

2. adj

Polite and attentive toward women, in an old-fashioned, chivalrous way.

“He gave a gallant bow and offered her his seat.”

Opposites

discourteous

3. noun

A man who is polite, attentive, and chivalrous toward women.

“He played the gallant, opening every door for her.”

sheik fop clotheshorse dandy swell beau squire dude

How to use gallant

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

a gallant effort gallant soldier gallant gesture

The "courteous toward women" sense now reads as somewhat old-fashioned or formal.

Etymology

From Old French galant, related to a word meaning "to make merry" — the sense shifted over time from "showy, festive" to "brave" and "chivalrous."

Full origin of gallant →

Frequently asked questions

What does “gallant” mean?

The word “gallant” means brave and honorable, especially in the face of danger. In plain terms, brave and honorable, or old-fashioned courteous toward women.

How do you pronounce “gallant”?

“Gallant” is pronounced GA-luhnt (/ˈɡælənt/ in IPA).

How do you use “gallant” in a sentence?

Here is “gallant” used in a sentence: “The soldiers made a gallant last stand.”

What part of speech is “gallant”?

Depending on how it is used, “gallant” can be an adjective and a noun.

Where does the word “gallant” come from?

The word “gallant” comes from Old French. From Old French galant, related to a word meaning "to make merry" — the sense shifted over time from "showy, festive" to "brave" and "chivalrous.".

Is “gallant” a common word?

“Gallant” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “gallant” have?

“Gallant” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: brave and honorable, especially in the face of danger.

People also searched

dude swell beau cowardly dandy squire dashing sheik timorous fop chivalrous clotheshorse

Nearby words

← Back to the full definition of gallant