English Reference

Word

cavalier

Phoneticscav·a·lier

US/ˈkævəɫiɹ/

UK/kˌævɐlˈiə/

Definition

adj. showing a lack of proper concern or care. You use this to describe someone who treats serious matters as if they are not important.

adj. marked by a lack of proper concern; dismissive of serious matters or consequences. Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'be' or 'seem'.

Examples

“He has a cavalier attitude toward his safety.”

“The manager's cavalier dismissal of the safety concerns upset many of the factory workers.”

“Such a cavalier approach to international law risks alienating long-term allies and destabilising the fragile peace that has held for decades.”

Examples

simple

“He has a cavalier attitude toward his safety.”

contextual

“The manager's cavalier dismissal of the safety concerns upset many of the factory workers.”

complex

“Such a cavalier approach to international law risks alienating long-term allies and destabilising the fragile peace that has held for decades.”

Usage

Often used to modify nouns like 'attitude', 'disregard', or 'treatment'.

Real-World Examples

“So it’s clear that SpaceX is not operating its Starlink constellation in a cavalier manner.”
Ars Technica · 23 Sept 2026
“To return in such a cavalier fashion in front of 100,000 people suggests a haughty acknowledgment of their place in the status quo which was obtained before the rise of punk.”
The Guardian · 6 Aug 2024

Domain

Architecture

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

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English Reference