Gallivant
/ˈɡæl.ɪˌvænt/noun
To roam or go about in pursuit of pleasure or entertainment, often in a carefree or irresponsible way.
Did you know?The word’s exact origin is uncertain, but it appears in the early 19th century as a slangy, playful verb, and its history is one reason English often turns sound itself into attitude.
Etymological Timeline
Early 19th Century
English
gallivant
“To wander about in a lively, showy, or frivolous way”
18th–19th Century
English
gallivanting
“A slangy, emphatic form used for roaming or making a show of oneself”
Possible influence: 18th Century
French
galant
“Elegant, courtly, attentive to women; fashionable or showy”
Possible influence: 16th Century
French
gallant
“Brave, spirited, stately, fashionable”
Earlier source
Germanic/French
gall- / gal-
“A root cluster associated with liveliness, boastfulness, or elegance in related words, though the precise path to English is uncertain”