gallivant

IPA/ˈɡælɪvænt/
IPA/ˈɡælɪvænt/

gallivant — verb

  • gallivantpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • gallivantshe / she / it
  • gallivantedpast simple
  • gallivanting-ing form

1. to travel around from one place to another for enjoyment, especially while ignor

1.verbintransitiveC1
Definition

to travel around from one place to another for enjoyment, especially while ignoring your usual responsibilities

Example

Theo spent the whole summer gallivanting around the Greek islands with no fixed plans.

gallivant + around [place]

Linnea was supposed to write her thesis, but she kept gallivanting off to the beach with her classmates.

gallivant off to [place] (neglect of duty)

Common collocations
  • gallivant around/about/across [place]
  • gallivant off to [place]
  • go gallivanting
Synonyms
  • roam

    neutral tone; does not carry the sense of irresponsibility or pleasure-seeking

  • wander

    more about aimless movement than deliberate enjoyment

  • traipse

    similar informal tone but often implies walking a long distance wearily

  • jaunt

    suggests a short, light-hearted trip rather than prolonged travel

Antonyms
  • stay put

    opposite of moving around for pleasure

  • work

    direct contrast to neglecting responsibilities for leisure travel

Grammar Patterns

gallivant + around/about/across [place]

Usage Note

Always intransitive. Most commonly used with 'around', 'about', or 'across' to indicate the area being visited. Carries a mildly disapproving tone — the person traveling should be doing something more responsible.

Common Mistakes

We gallivanted the city all day.
We gallivanted around the city all day.
gallivant is intransitive and needs a preposition like 'around' or 'about' to introduce the location.
He gallivants a lot of money on trips.
He gallivants around a lot instead of working.
gallivant cannot take a direct object.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

Gallivant, roam, wander, traipse, and jaunt all describe traveling between different locations, but they differ in tone and connotation. Gallivant is the most playful and mildly disapproving — it implies pleasure-seeking at the expense of responsibility, as in 'She gallivanted around Europe instead of job-hunting.' Roam is neutral and suggests range rather than purpose: 'Wolves roam vast territories.' Wander emphasizes aimlessness without the fun-seeking judgment: 'He wandered through the old town, lost in thought.' Traipse is informal and suggests reluctant or tiring movement: 'We traipsed from shop to shop in the rain.' Jaunt applies to short, carefree outings: 'They jaunted to the coast for the weekend.' Use gallivant when the tone is light criticism of someone having too much fun instead of doing their duty.

gallivant ↗roam ↗wander ↗traipsejaunt ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • go gallivanting

Prepositions

Etymology

English (from gallant < French galant < Old French galer 'to rejoice' < Germanic)

Gallivant first appeared in the early 1800s, probably as a playful alteration of 'gallant' (meaning adventurous, dashing, or romantically inclined). The original sense suggested going out in pursuit of pleasure with romantic overtones, before broadening to any kind of pleasure-seeking travel, often at the cost of responsibility.