gallivanting about

USAGE SUMMARY

"gallivanting about" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone who is wandering or traveling around in search of pleasure or entertainment. Example: "She spent the summer gallivanting about Europe, visiting various cities." Alternative expressions include "roaming around," "wandering about," and "frolicking around."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

He loves gallivanting about the world of suckers and gum balls.

The New York Times - Books

This isn't about middle-aged people with hipster beards, gallivanting about on skateboards.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Sunday New York Times reviewer, Paul Gray, was reduced to pleading, in only partly mock desperation, "When is Jane Smiley going to quit gallivanting about and settle down with a solid, dependable, predictable novel?" The answer is probably never.

The Guardian - Books

The opposite sex, on the other hand the female red phalarope and male pectoral sandpiper were gallivanting about at all hours, probably looking for new mates.

Science Magazine

You probably know Anker best as the company that makes high-speed chargers for your car and home, and battery packs for when you're gallivanting about.

TechCrunch

He hobnobbed with the glitterati, gallivanting about town with Janice Hope, an ultra-successful Weight Watchers franchise owner and family friend, and Richard Solomon, president of Manhattan's highly regarded Pace Prints.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Based on Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays, the successful applicant will be paid A$150,000 £68,0000) by Queensland tourism bosses to gallivant about the Great Barrier Reef's little-known islands for six months.

Independent

We watch from behind our hands as Nate, a New York writer enjoying recent literary success, gallivants about the city's intellectual scene, bouncing from one dysfunctional relationship to the next, all the while feeling very sorry for himself.

The New Yorker

Fielding's point, after all, is that however much they gallivant about and mock the Smug Marrieds, single women secretly want nothing so much as a sober, stable, prosperous husband.

The Guardian - Books

That's how Avery, the prodigal son with a limitless trust fund, put it when he went off to gallivant about Europe eight years ago, though Evelyn insists it was only six.

The New York Times

In the years that divided the world wars, a small social elite managed to ignore the drudgery of the times and gallivant about the country in an insane social whirl.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gallivanting about" when you want to convey a sense of carefree wandering or traveling, often for pleasure or without a specific destination in mind. It adds a touch of whimsy and informality to your writing.

Common error

While "gallivanting about" is acceptable in many contexts, it may sound too informal or frivolous for serious or professional settings. Consider using more neutral terms like "traveling" or "touring" for a more appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gallivanting about" primarily functions as a verb phrase acting as a predicate, describing an action of moving around in a carefree or frivolous manner. As Ludwig suggests, it implies a wandering or traveling, often for pleasure. Examples from the provided data showcase its use in describing people's activities and behaviors.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gallivanting about" is a verb phrase that describes carefree wandering or traveling, often for pleasure. Ludwig's AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples from reliable news and media sources. While the phrase is more informal, its usage is acceptable in various contexts, with its primary function being to describe someone's actions or behavior. When in doubt, use alternatives like "wandering around" or "traveling" for a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wandering around

Focuses on aimless movement within a general area.

roaming around

Implies a broader scope of movement, often suggesting exploration.

jaunting around

Emphasizes short, quick trips or excursions.

strolling about

Suggests a leisurely, relaxed pace of movement.

tripping around

Implies a lighthearted and carefree movement.

meandering around

Highlights the indirect and winding nature of the movement.

globetrotting

Specifically refers to traveling extensively around the world.

jet-setting

Implies luxurious and rapid travel to various destinations.

touring

Focuses on visiting different places in a structured or organized way.

traveling

A general term for moving from one place to another, without specific connotations of leisure or aimlessness.

FAQs

What does "gallivanting about" mean?

"Gallivanting about" means wandering or traveling around, usually for pleasure or without a specific purpose.

What can I say instead of "gallivanting about"?

You can use alternatives like "wandering around", "roaming around", or "traveling" depending on the context.

How do I use "gallivanting about" in a sentence?

You might say, "She spent the summer "gallivanting about" Europe", or "They were "gallivanting about" the city without a care in the world".

Is "gallivanting about" formal or informal?

"Gallivanting about" is generally considered informal. In more formal contexts, consider using terms like "traveling" or "touring".