cavalier
/ˌkævəˈlɪə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · [kˌævəlˈɪr] /ˌkævəˈlɪr/ (ame, ipa) · [kˌævəlˈɪr] /ˌka-və-ˈlir/ (ame, mw) · /ˌkæv.əlˈɪər/ (bre, ipa) · [kˌævəlˈɪr] /ˌkæv.əlˈɪr/ (ame, ipa)
cavalier — adjective
- cavalierpositive
- more cavaliercomparative
- most cavaliersuperlative
1. showing a complete lack of care about how your actions or words might affect oth
showing a complete lack of care about how your actions or words might affect other people, especially when this seems arrogant or thoughtless
Ignacio was angry about the city council's cavalier attitude towards the pollution in the river.
cavalier attitude towards [something]
The hotel manager's cavalier response to the guest's complaint made the problem even worse.
cavalier response to [something]
It seems rather cavalier of the director to ignore the safety warnings from the engineers.
Wei's cavalier handling of the customer data worried everyone in the office.
A cavalier approach to spending taxpayers' money can cost a politician their job.
- dismissive
focuses on rejecting or refusing to take something seriously; slightly less strong than cavalier
- offhand
suggests casual indifference, especially in speech; can be unintentional
- nonchalant
implies calm unconcern but is often neutral or positive; cavalier is always critical
- reckless
emphasises physical danger or risk; narrower than cavalier
- careful
showing attention and concern
- considerate
actively thinking about others' feelings
用法筆記
Describes behaviour that the speaker strongly disapproves of. The word is most commonly used with 'attitude', 'approach', or 'response' followed by 'to' or 'towards'. Never used in a positive or neutral sense — if someone is 'cavalier' they are being criticised.
常見錯誤
cavalier — noun
- cavaliersingular
- cavaliersplural
1. a person who backed King Charles I during England's 1640s civil war, fighting fo
a person who backed King Charles I during England's 1640s civil war, fighting for the monarchy against the parliamentary forces
The Cavaliers wore long hair and silk clothes, while the Roundheads kept their hair short and dressed plainly.
historical contrast: Cavaliers vs Roundheads
Beatrix wrote her school project about a Cavalier officer who escaped after the Battle of Naseby.
Many Cavaliers lost their land and titles after Parliament's victory in 1646.
The museum has a special collection of letters written by Cavalier soldiers to their families.
- Royalist
a broader term for any monarchy supporter; Cavalier specifically refers to the English Civil War period
- Roundhead
a supporter of Parliament during the same conflict
用法筆記
Almost always capitalised (Cavalier) when referring to English Civil War supporters. Contrasts with 'Roundhead', the nickname for Parliament's supporters. Modern use of 'cavalier' as a noun meaning a gallant gentleman is very rare and considered old-fashioned.