gallantry means courage. It carries an Arena rating of 1500, earned across 2 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, gallantry ranks #2,374 of 14,451 for Most Whimsical Words, #2,382 of 14,414 for Most Elegant Words, #2,737 of 14,445 for Most Beautiful Words, #6,871 of 14,297 for Words That Escaped Their Books.
gallantry is pronounced /ˈɡæləntri/.
Why “gallantry” is a great word
Courteous bravery, especially chivalrous conduct or attention toward women, or an instance of such behavior. From Middle French *galanterie*, from Old French *galant* ("courteous, brave, lively") plus the suffix *-erie* denoting a quality or condition; first attested in English in the 1590s. Unlike "bravery," which is the raw metal of facing danger, or "chivalry," which is the entire, often-idealized code, gallantry is a specific coin minted from both—valor polished by courtesy. It is the slight bow before a duel, the offered arm across a muddy street, the perfectly timed, self-deprecating witticism that deflects a looming slight; a performance where the stakes are social grace, and the risk is a deeper, quieter kind of exposure—the consciousness that courtesy itself is a kind of courage, and that both may be obsolete.
Etymology
From French galanterie, equivalent to gallant + -ry.
noun
- courage.“1926, P. G. Wodehouse, 'Lord Emsworth and the Girl Friend', Penguin, Harmondsworth: 1992, p 98.
'I have the greatest respect for the young lady to whom you refer. She behaved on a certain recent occasion - on two recent occasions - with notable gallantry and resource, and I won't have her bally-ragged.'”
- chivalrous courtliness, especially towards women.“Of the three things that startle us in the feasts of nobles, there is not one here; no swords, no duels, no tables reeking blood. No faithless gallantries here bring dishonour on some intimate friend.”
- an instance of gallant behaviour or speech.
Words closest in meaning
By meaning, not spelling — each word's AI semantic fingerprint, nearest first.
- gallant 93% match — Brave, valiant, courteous, especially with regard to male attitudes towards women. vs gallantry →
- valour 85% match — Individually sustained verve or passion. vs gallantry →
- hardiment 85% match — Bravery, courage. vs gallantry →
- heroism 85% match — The qualities characteristic of a hero, such as courage, bravery, fortitude, selflessness, etc.; the display of such qualities. vs gallantry →
- bravado 85% match — A swaggering show of defiance or courage. vs gallantry →
- debonair 85% match — Gracious, courteous. vs gallantry →
- gentleship 84% match — The deportment or conduct of a gentleman. vs gallantry →
- debonairity 84% match — The quality of being debonair; debonair character, graciousness. vs gallantry →