dalliance

noun

dal·​li·​ance ˈda-lē-ən(t)s How to pronounce dalliance (audio)
Synonyms of dalliance
: an act of dallying: such as
a
: play
especially : amorous play
had several dalliances before getting married
b
: frivolous action : trifling
had a brief dalliance with acting

Synonyms of dalliance

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Examples of dalliance in a Sentence

an extremely serious scientist who is not much given to dalliance or idle chitchat
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Nobody in his immediate circle knows that Bret is gay, enjoying regular dalliances with class pothead Matt (Owen Painter) and pining over Ryan (Daniel Dale). — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2026 Hanania’s dalliance with the tech right showed him what happens when otherwise smart people adopt an anti-elite political identity. — Gilad Edelman, The Atlantic, 19 July 2026 If history is any indicator, though, Scheffler’s dalliance amidst golf mortals should be brief. — Justin Ray, New York Times, 18 July 2026 Some artists have eras, experimental phases, detours, creative dalliances; Arthur Russell’s career, for all its seeming contradictions—classical minimalism and lascivious disco, Zen Buddhist mantras and winsome country pop—was a continuum. — Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 27 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for dalliance

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dalliance was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

dalli
dalliance
Dallis grass
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Cite this Entry

“Dalliance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dalliance. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

dalliance

noun
dal·​li·​ance ˈdal-ē-ən(t)s How to pronounce dalliance (audio)
1
: play entry 1 sense 2
especially : the act of flirting
2
: action lacking in importance or seriousness
a short dalliance with politics

More from Merriam-Webster on dalliance

Nglish: Translation of dalliance for Spanish Speakers

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