Cavalier — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /ˌka-və-ˈlir/ cav·a·lier

Meaning & Definition of Cavalier

Cavalier (adjective)

  1. marked by or given to offhand and often disdainful dismissal of important matters
  2. debonair
  3. of or relating to the party of Charles I of England in his struggles with the Puritans and Parliament

Cavalier (noun)

  1. a gentleman trained in arms and horsemanship
  2. a mounted soldier, knight
  3. an adherent of Charles I of England

Cavalier (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude

    "a cavalier and pompous boss, indifferent to the feelings of her subordinates"

    similar: arrogant, assumptive, bumptious, chesty, haughty, high-and-mighty, high-handed, high-hat, highfalutin, huffish, huffy, imperious, important, lofty, lordly, masterful, overweening, peremptory, pompous, presuming, presumptuous, pretentious, self-asserting, self-assertive, sniffy, stiff-necked, supercilious, superior, toplofty, uppish, uppity
    related: authoritarian, bossy, dominant, dominating, domineering, magisterial, pontifical, pontificating, condescending, disdainful, patronizing, impertinent, impudent, saucy, snobbish, snobby, snooty, blusterous, blustery, boastful, bombastic, braggart, bragging, braggy, cocky, swaggering, vain, vainglorious, complacent, conceited, egocentric, egoistic, egotistic, hubristic, narcissistic, orgulous, prideful, proud, self-affected, self-applauding, self-centered, self-complacent, self-conceited, self-pleased, self-satisfied, smug, stuck-up, self-flattering, self-loving, self-promoting, brash, forward, uninhibited, unreserved, extroverted, immodest
    opposite: humble, lowly, modest, unarrogant, unpretentious
    near: bashful, cowering, cringing, demure, diffident, introverted, mousy, overmodest, self-critical, self-doubting, sheepish, shrinking, shy, subdued, timid, acquiescent, compliant, deferential, meek, passive, submissive, unaggressive, unassertive, unassuming, unobtrusive, yielding, quiet, reserved, retiring

Cavalier (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. an honorable and courteous man

    "a novel about the dashing cavaliers and gracious ladies of the South before the Civil War"

    similar: gentleman
    related: Galahad, knight, prince, beau, Beau Brummell, blade, blood, buck, dandy, dude, fop, gallant, jay, petit-maître, captivator, charmer, ladies' man, smoothy, aristocrat, patrician, swell

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Cavalier

The most common words with a similar meaning to Cavalier:

arrogant, assumptive, bumptious, chesty, haughty, high-and-mighty, high-handed, high-hat, highfalutin, huffish, huffy, imperious, important, lofty, lordly, masterful, overweening, peremptory, pompous, presuming, presumptuous, pretentious, self-asserting, self-assertive, sniffy, stiff-necked, supercilious, superior, toplofty, uppish, uppity, gentleman

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Cavalier

Words with the opposite meaning of Cavalier:

humble, lowly, modest, unarrogant, unpretentious

Related Words for Cavalier

authoritarian, bossy, dominant, dominating, domineering, magisterial, pontifical, pontificating, condescending, disdainful, patronizing, impertinent, impudent, saucy, snobbish, snobby, snooty, blusterous, blustery, boastful, bombastic, braggart, bragging, braggy, cocky, swaggering, vain, vainglorious, complacent, conceited

Near Antonyms of Cavalier

bashful, cowering, cringing, demure, diffident, introverted, mousy, overmodest, self-critical, self-doubting, sheepish, shrinking, shy, subdued, timid, acquiescent, compliant, deferential, meek, passive, submissive, unaggressive, unassertive, unassuming, unobtrusive, yielding, quiet, reserved, retiring

Word Forms of Cavalier

Derived words: cavalierism (noun), cavalierly (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Cavalier

from attributive use of cavalier:2

First known use: circa 1641

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Cavalier

Words & Phrases Containing Cavalier

Cavalier King Charles spaniel

Frequently Asked Questions about Cavalier

What does "Cavalier" mean?

"Cavalier" means marked by or given to offhand and often disdainful dismissal of important matters. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: marked by or given to offhand and often disdainful dismissal of important matters. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Cavalier"?

Other words for "Cavalier" include arrogant, assumptive, bumptious, chesty, haughty, high-and-mighty, high-handed and high-hat. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Cavalier" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Cavalier"?

There are 109 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Cavalier". Common alternatives include arrogant, assumptive, bumptious, chesty, haughty, high-and-mighty, high-handed, high-hat, highfalutin and huffish.

What is the opposite of "Cavalier"?

Antonyms of "Cavalier" include humble, lowly, modest, unarrogant and unpretentious. Near antonyms include bashful, cowering, cringing and demure.

How do you use "Cavalier" in a sentence?

Examples of "Cavalier" in a sentence: "a cavalier and pompous boss, indifferent to the feelings of her subordinates"; "a novel about the dashing cavaliers and gracious ladies of the South before the Civil War".

Is "Cavalier" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Cavalier" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Cavalier" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C2-level word, "Cavalier" is typical of Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), IELTS band 8.5–9.0, TOEFL iBT 114–120, PTE Academic 85–90. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Cavalier"?

"Cavalier" is pronounced /ˌka-və-ˈlir/ and divided into syllables as cav·a·lier.