Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Brave and heroic, especially in a chivalrous or noble manner: "gallant" describes someone who shows courage, particularly in a way that is associated with the ideal qualities of a knight or gentleman.
   • Polite and attentive to women, often in an old-fashioned or courtly way: It refers to a man who is notably courteous, respectful, and considerate towards women.
   • Grand, impressive, or majestic in appearance: "gallant" can describe something that is splendid, stately, or imposing.

2. Noun:

   • A man who is notably attentive and courteous to women: A "gallant" is a man who escorts or pays special, polite attention to a woman.
   • A man who is fashionably dressed and concerned with his appearance: It can also refer to a stylish, dashing man, often with a slightly old-fashioned connotation.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The soldiers made a gallant last stand against the enemy.
  • He was always gallant, holding doors open and offering his coat.
  • The gallant old ship sailed into the harbor.

• Noun:

  • He arrived as her gallant for the evening.
  • The 18th-century dandy was known as a gallant.

Advanced Usage

• "to make a gallant effort/attempt": to try very hard in a brave and determined way, often against difficult odds.

  • She made a gallant attempt to finish the race despite her injury.

• "gallant failure": a brave and admirable effort that ultimately did not succeed.

  • The team's campaign ended in a gallant failure.

Variants and Related Words

• Gallantly (adverb): in a brave, heroic, or courteous manner.
  • He gallantly offered her his seat.
• Gallantry (noun): brave behavior, or polite attention paid by men to women.
  • He was awarded a medal for gallantry.

Synonyms

• Adjective (brave): courageous, valiant, heroic, brave.
• Adjective (chivalrous): chivalrous, courteous, gentlemanly, polite.
• Adjective (majestic): majestic, stately, imposing, splendid.
• Noun: gentleman, cavalier, beau, dandy.

Related Phrases

• Gallant knight: a classic phrase referring to a brave and chivalrous knight from stories.
  • The tale spoke of a gallant knight who rescued the princess.

Adjective

1. being attentive to women like an ideal knight
2. having or displaying great dignity or nobility
   • a gallant pageant
   • lofty ships
   • majestic cities
   • proud alpine peaks
3. lively and spirited
   • a dashing hero
4. unflinching in battle or action
   • a gallant warrior
   • put up a gallant resistance to the attackers

Noun

1. a man who attends or escorts a woman
2. a man who is much concerned with his dress and appearance