VocabularyBasePractice words

Meaning & use

chivalry

noun·Academicold-fashioned

Last updated

UK/ˈʃɪvəlri/
US/ˈʃɪvəlri/

Meanings

  1. noununcountable

    Polite, honorable and considerate behavior, especially the traditional courtesy of men toward women.

    Grammar: Used without an or an: chivalry is not dead.

    Patterns

    • act of chivalry

    He held the door out of simple chivalry.

    Some people see offering a coat as an act of chivalry.

    The old gentleman was known for his chivalry.

  2. noununcountableliterary

    The medieval code of conduct for knights, stressing bravery, loyalty and honor.

    Grammar: Often used about the Middle Ages and tales of knights.

    Patterns

    • the age of chivalry

    The poem celebrates the ideals of chivalry.

    Knights swore an oath to uphold chivalry.

    Stories of chivalry were popular at court.

  3. noununcountablearchaic

    The group of knights or mounted soldiers in medieval times.

    Grammar: A rare, historical use that refers to knights as a body.

    Patterns

    • the chivalry of somewhere

    The chivalry of France rode out to meet the army.

    The whole chivalry of the kingdom gathered for the tournament.

    He led the chivalry into battle.

Common combinations

act of chivalry
Giving up his seat was a small act of chivalry.
code of chivalry
The knights followed a strict code of chivalry.
age of chivalry
Writers romanticize the age of chivalry.
chivalry is dead
Some say chivalry is dead, but I disagree.
medieval chivalry
Medieval chivalry demanded courage and loyalty.

Synonyms and how they differ

gallantry
Gallantry stresses brave or courteous action, especially toward women, and can also mean bravery in battle.
courtesy
Courtesy is general good manners to anyone, whereas chivalry is more traditional and linked to knighthood.
gentlemanliness
Gentlemanliness refers to behavior expected of a gentleman rather than to a code of honor.
nobility
Nobility suggests high moral character, not specifically polite acts.

Opposites

rudenessdiscourtesy

Word family

chivalrous adjective
polite and honorable, especially toward women
chivalric adjective
relating to medieval knights
chivalrously adverb
in a chivalrous way
unchivalrous adjective
not polite or honorable

Commonly confused: chivalry or cavalry?

chivalry vs cavalry

Cavalry means soldiers on horseback; chivalry is a code of honor and courtesy. The words share a root but have different meanings.

Practice

He held the umbrella over her head in a small act of ___.

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “chivalry”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Your sentence stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.

Explore more words