gallivant
pronunciation
How to pronounce gallivant in British English:
UK [ˈgælɪvænt]
How to pronounce gallivant in American English:
US [ˈɡæləˌvænt]
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- Verb:
- wander aimlessly in search of pleasure
Word Origin
- gallivant (v.)
- "gad about, spend time in frivolous pleasure-seeking, especially with the opposite sex," 1809, of uncertain origin, perhaps a playful elaboration of gallant in an obsolete verbal sense of "play the gallant, flirt, gad about." Related: Gallivanted; gallivanting. Young Lobski said to his ugly wife, "I'm off till to-morrow to fish, my life;" Says Mrs. Lobski, "I'm sure you a'nt", But you brute you are going to gallivant." What Mrs. Lobski said was right, Gay Mr. Lobski was out all night. He ne'er went to fish, 'tis known very well But where he went I shall not tell. ["Songs from the Exile," in "Literary Panorama," London, 1809]
Example
- 1. They shall spend less time gallivant about and more with their children .
- 2. They should spend less time gallivant about and more with their children .
- 3. Chinese tourists gallivant along a golf course at the mount kumgang resort in north korea .