Meaning & use
gallantly
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Meanings
adverbnot comparable
In a brave way, facing danger or difficulty with courage.
Grammar: Usually follows the verb: fought gallantly.
Patterns
- fight gallantly
- struggle gallantly
The soldiers fought gallantly against a much larger force.
The small team played gallantly, though they lost.
She struggled gallantly to finish the race.
adverbnot comparableold-fashioned
In a polite, kind and noble way, especially toward women in an old-fashioned style.
Grammar: Sounds old-fashioned or slightly humorous.
Patterns
- offer gallantly
He gallantly held the door for the elderly lady.
The young man gallantly offered his coat.
She gallantly accepted the apology.
Common combinations
- fight gallantly
- The defenders fought gallantly until help arrived.
- gallantly offer
- He gallantly offered his seat.
- gallantly volunteer
- Two boys gallantly volunteered to carry the bags.
- gallantly resist
- The town gallantly resisted the siege.
- gallantly refuse
- He gallantly refused any reward.
Synonyms and how they differ
- bravely
- Bravely is plain and neutral, while gallantly adds a sense of style and honor.
- courageously
- Courageously stresses the strength to face fear, but not courtesy.
- chivalrously
- Chivalrously is closer to polite behavior toward others, especially women, in a medieval style.
- valiantly
- Valiantly suggests great effort and courage in a struggle, even if it fails.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: gallantly or galantly?
gallantly vs galantly
This is a common misspelling. The correct form has a double l: gallantly.
Practice
The knight ___ defended the village against the raiders.
Choose one answer.
Gallantly means bravely and nobly, which fits defending against raiders. Gently would be odd in a battle.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “gallantly”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.