Meaning & use
gallantries
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“gallantries” is a form of “gallantry”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nouncountableold-fashioned
polite and attentive behavior, especially by a man toward a woman, often in a formal or old-fashioned way
Grammar: Countable; usually used in the plural to mean several such acts: his little gallantries.
Patterns
- a gallantry toward someone
- perform gallantries
He opened the door and pulled out her chair, performing the small gallantries his grandfather had taught him.
Her diary recorded his gallantries: flowers on Monday, a poem on Wednesday, a compliment every morning.
The old gentleman's gallantries seemed charming to some and embarrassing to others.
noununcountableliterary
brave and noble behavior, especially in battle or danger
Grammar: Uncountable when it means the quality of being brave; use the singular form.
Patterns
- an act of gallantry
- show gallantry
The soldier was awarded a medal for gallantry under fire.
Stories of his gallantry in the rescue spread through the village.
She spoke of the gallantry of the firefighters who entered the burning building.
Word forms
| singular | gallantry |
|---|
Common combinations
- act of gallantry
- Saving the child from the river was an act of gallantry.
- small gallantries
- He believed in small gallantries like holding doors and giving up seats.
- gallantry award
- The pilot received a gallantry award for landing the damaged plane.
- gallantry under fire
- His gallantry under fire earned him the respect of his unit.
Synonyms and how they differ
- courtesies
- Courtesies are polite acts in general; gallantries usually suggest a romantic or old-fashioned chivalrous tone.
- bravery
- Bravery is the general quality of facing danger; gallantry often adds a sense of noble or admired conduct.
- chivalry
- Chivalry is the whole code of knightly behavior; gallantries are individual acts that follow it.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: gallantries or gallantry?
gallantries vs gallantry
This is the singular form; 'gallantries' is the plural, used for several acts. Do not use 'gallantries' for the quality itself.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'gallantries' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The plural 'gallantries' fits several polite acts, such as opening doors and sending flowers. Option An and C use it for the uncountable quality, which should be 'gallantry'. Option D uses it as an adverb, which is wrong.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “gallantries”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.