chivalrous
/ˈʃɪv.əl.ɹʌs/
Group 11Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Courteous and gallant, especially toward women; relating to the medieval knightly system GRE
Example in Context
His chivalrous gesture of offering his seat drew mild amusement in an era that valued equality over old-fashioned courtesy.
Synonyms
noblegallantcourteous
Etymology
Pertaining to the qualities expected of knights, like bravery and courtesy.
- chival (Old French) — horseman, knight
- ous (Latin) — pertaining to
Memory Aid
🛡️Sounds like “shiver less”
When you’re CHIVALROUS, you SHIVER LESS at the thought of helping a damsel in distress!
Visual Association
🤵A knight gallantly opening a door for a lady while wearing shiny armor.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “chivalrous” mean on the GRE?
chivalrous (adjective) means “Courteous and gallant, especially toward women; relating to the medieval knightly system”. His chivalrous gesture of offering his seat drew mild amusement in an era that valued equality over old-fashioned courtesy.
How to remember “chivalrous” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “chivalrous” sounds like “shiver less”. When you’re CHIVALROUS, you SHIVER LESS at the thought of helping a damsel in distress!
What are synonyms for “chivalrous”?
Common synonyms: noble, gallant, courteous.