cavalier
/ˌkævəˈlɪəɹ/
Group 12Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Showing a lack of proper concern; offhand GRE
Example in Context
The regulator's cavalier attitude toward enforcement emboldened companies to cut corners on safety standards.
Synonyms
carelessdismissivearrogant
Etymology
Originally referring to horsemen, now denotes a dismissive attitude.
- caballus (Latin) — horse
Memory Aid
🐴Sounds like “cavalier”
A CAVALIER riding a horse, tossing his hat in the air without a care in the world!
Visual Association
🙈A person on a horse shrugging at problems like they’re no big deal, ignoring everything around them.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “cavalier” mean on the GRE?
cavalier (adjective) means “Showing a lack of proper concern; offhand”. The regulator's cavalier attitude toward enforcement emboldened companies to cut corners on safety standards.
How to remember “cavalier” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “cavalier” sounds like “cavalier”. A CAVALIER riding a horse, tossing his hat in the air without a care in the world!
What are synonyms for “cavalier”?
Common synonyms: careless, dismissive, arrogant.