adj
Uncommon
gallant
GA-luhnt
Gallant (adj) means Brave and honorable, especially in the face of danger. Example: “The soldiers made a gallant last stand.”
adj
1
Brave and honorable, especially in the face of danger.
"The soldiers made a gallant last stand."
"It was a gallant attempt, even though they lost."
2
Polite and attentive toward women, in an old-fashioned, chivalrous way.
"He gave a gallant bow and offered her his seat."
noun
1
A man who is polite, attentive, and chivalrous toward women.
"He played the gallant, opening every door for her."
How to use gallant
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBrave and honorable, or old-fashioned courteous toward women.
When to use it
The "courteous toward women" sense now reads as somewhat old-fashioned or formal.
Common pairings
a gallant effort
gallant soldier
gallant gesture
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Word forms
- Plural
- gallants
- Third person singular
- gallants
- Past tense
- gallanted
- Comparative
- more gallant
- Superlative
- most gallant
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The soldiers made a _____ last stand.
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."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
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.
