What does chivalrousness mean?
Chivalrousness is a noun denoting the quality of being chivalrous — that is, behaving with courtesy, honour, and gallant consideration for others, particularly by men towards women. The word derives from 'chivalrous', which traces back through Old French 'chevalerie' (knighthood) to 'chevalier', meaning knight, ultimately from Late Latin 'caballarius', or horseman. Because of this lineage, chivalrousness evokes the ideals associated with medieval knights: bravery, loyalty, protectiveness, and refined manners. In modern usage it is a formal, somewhat literary term, more likely to appear in novels, essays, or character sketches than in casual conversation, where 'chivalry' or 'chivalrous' are preferred. It is consistently positive in connotation, though speakers sometimes use it with gentle irony when describing behaviour that seems charmingly outdated. A related but distinct word, 'chivalry', refers both to the historical knightly institution and to courteous conduct generally, while chivalrousness names the personal quality itself.
nounThe quality of being chivalrous; courteous, honourable, and gallant behaviour, especially by a man towards women.
- The quality of being chivalrous: courtesy, generosity, and honourable conduct, especially towards women or those in need of protection.
"His chivalrousness was evident when he gave up his seat without a second thought."
"She was charmed less by his gifts than by his quiet chivalrousness — he always walked on the traffic side of the pavement."
"The novel's hero embodies a chivalrousness that feels almost out of place in the modern world."
Rarely used in the plural, as the word normally denotes an abstract quality; the plural would appear only in contexts counting distinct instances or types of chivalrous behaviour.
"The biographer catalogued the general's many small chivalrousnesses toward strangers."
Every time you say 'chivalrous', you're speaking a little medieval French — it comes from 'cheval', the word for horse, so chivalrousness is literally the quality of being horseman-like.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of chivalrousness
Chivalrousness is formed from the adjective 'chivalrous' plus the suffix '-ness'. 'Chivalrous' comes from Old French 'chevalereux', from 'chevalerie' (knighthood), itself derived from 'chevalier' (knight), from Late Latin 'caballarius' meaning horseman, from Latin 'caballus' (horse). The word thus entered English via the vocabulary of medieval knighthood, and its cognates include 'chevalier', 'cavalier', and 'cavalry'.
Related word forms
How chivalrousness is actually used
Chivalrousness is a formal, somewhat literary word. In everyday speech and writing, 'chivalry' or the adjective 'chivalrous' are far more common; the noun 'chivalrousness' tends to appear in descriptive or evaluative prose. It carries an unambiguously positive connotation, though it can sound slightly old-fashioned or ironic depending on tone.
Easily confused with chivalrousness
Chivalry refers both to the medieval knightly code and to courteous behaviour in general, whereas chivalrousness refers only to the personal quality of behaving in that courteous, honourable manner.