to cavort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to cavort" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe playful or lively behavior, often involving jumping or dancing around in a joyful manner. Example: "The children began to cavort in the park, their laughter echoing through the air."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

All of which allows Pee-wee to cavort gaily in an environment that is truly magical.

The New York Times - Arts

Better to cavort with the Devil You Know?' Make any sense o'that?" "Not a lot".

The Guardian - Books

JC Chasez Schizophrenic (Jive) JC Chasez used to cavort around stages in N*Sync alongside Justin Timberlake.

The Guardian - Music

(Yes I have been looking for this duo for decades, but 600 euros?) The wooden rabbits anxious to cavort atop my West Village radiator?

The New York Times

There, parked in glorious isolation, we flung the doors wide and dashed for the waves to cavort like exhilarated school kids.

Independent

The Spumifers look as if they had escaped from the margins of a Medieval manuscript illumination, from a borderland where miniscule demons were sometimes allowed to cavort freely.

The New York Times - Arts

At first, M-G-M put her in small roles, and sent her all over town to cavort for publicity shots.

The New Yorker

Further, you take the boa into the family pool to cavort, although the human swimmers might have used a different verb.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

"Painting a young maiden," he said, "is similar to cavorting with great abandon.

The Guardian - Arts

It's understandable that men accustomed to being away from their families and cloistered with other men in Muslim countries where drinking and blowing off steam are frowned upon might get used to cavorting on e-mail.

The New York Times

He has been accused of crimes capital, carnal and municipal, ranging from murder, torture and kidnapping to cavorting with prostitutes and exacting kickbacks from government workers to build monuments to his father and himself.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to cavort" when you want to convey a sense of joyful, energetic, and often carefree movement. It works well in both literal and figurative contexts.

Common error

While "to cavort" is a vivid verb, it may sound out of place in serious or formal writing. Consider a more neutral or precise verb if the context demands a more restrained tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to cavort" functions primarily as an infinitive, often used to express purpose or intention. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in describing actions involving playful or exuberant movement. It aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to cavort" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, especially in News & Media. It denotes lively and playful movement, adding a touch of whimsy and energy to descriptions. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides ample examples of its use in diverse contexts. While versatile, it's best reserved for situations where its tone aligns with the overall style, avoiding overuse in overly formal or serious settings. Alternatives such as "to frolic", "to romp", and "to gambol" can offer similar meanings with slight variations in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to frolic

Focuses on lighthearted and joyful playfulness, similar to "to cavort" but perhaps less energetic.

to romp

Implies boisterous and uninhibited play, akin to "to cavort" but suggesting more vigorous movement.

to gambol

Suggests playful skipping or leaping, similar to "to cavort" but with a more specific type of movement.

to prance

Indicates high-spirited and showy movement, like "to cavort" but emphasizing elegance or exuberance.

to lark about

Implies carefree and mischievous behavior, sharing the playfulness of "to cavort" but with a hint of naughtiness.

to rollick

Conveys boisterous merriment and carefree behavior, similar to "to cavort" but suggesting a more festive atmosphere.

to sport

Indicates playful activity or recreation, like "to cavort" but broader in scope and less intense.

to frisk

Suggests energetic and playful movements, akin to "to cavort" but can also imply a search or examination.

to caper

Indicates playful leaping or skipping, similar to "to cavort" but emphasizing the quickness and agility of the movement.

to disport

Implies indulging in playful activities, sharing the lightheartedness of "to cavort" but perhaps with a more leisurely pace.

FAQs

How can I use "to cavort" in a sentence?

You can use "to cavort" to describe lively and playful behavior, like "The children began "to cavort" in the park."

What's a good alternative to "to cavort"?

Depending on the nuance you want to convey, alternatives include "to frolic", "to romp", or "to gambol".

Is "to cavort" formal or informal?

"To cavort" is generally considered a more descriptive and evocative verb, suitable for various contexts, but can sound slightly informal or whimsical compared to more neutral verbs.

What is the difference between "to cavort" and "to frolic"?

"To cavort" implies energetic and playful movement, while "to frolic" suggests lighthearted and joyful playfulness. The former has a slightly wilder connotation.