Cavort: Definition, Usage & Examples

Meaning 1：to frolic about (cavort)

cavort 🔊

/kəˈvɔːrt/

vi.

To jump or move around playfully and energetically.

Cavort meaning illustrated by playful puppies frolicking joyfully on a green lawn.

to frolic about 🔊

➕

/tuː ˈfrɑːlɪk əˈbaʊt/

vi.

To play and move around in a lively, joyful manner.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Likely from 'curvet' (a horse's leap) + 'caper' (to jump playfully).

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine a CAVerneer leaping OveR Things (CAVORT) playfully in a cave.

📖 Example

After the first snowfall, the puppy couldn't contain its joy and began to cavort in the white powder, leaving little paw prints everywhere. 🔊 After the first snowfall, the puppy couldn't contain its joy and began to frolic about in the white powder, leaving little paw prints everywhere.

🔗 Collocations

cavort about – To move playfully in various directions.

cavort with – To play energetically with someone or something.

cavort in – To leap about joyfully within a particular place or element.

🔄 Synonyms

frolic (vi.) – To play and move about cheerfully and energetically.

romp (vi.) – To play in a lively, energetic, and noisy way.

gambol (vi.) – To run or jump about playfully, typically of lambs or children.

🚫 Antonyms

mope (vi.) – To move in a listless or aimless manner due to unhappiness.

slouch (vi.) – To stand, move, or sit in a lazy, drooping manner.

trudge (vi.) – To walk slowly and with heavy steps, typically because of exhaustion.

🌱 Derivatives

cavorter (n.) – One who cavorts.

cavorting (ger./n.) – The act of frolicking or playing energetically.

📖 Cultural Story

Originally an Americanism from the early 1800s, possibly a playful alteration of 'curvet,' describing a horse's prance. It evolved to describe exuberant, carefree movement in people, capturing a spirit of joyful abandon.