philander
fuh-LAN-der
/fɪˈlændər/
(Of a man) to readily or frequently enter into casual sexual relationships with women; to be unfaithful.
Specifically used for men. It implies a habitual or serial nature to the cheating.
The story behind the word. Ironically, 'Philander' was a popular name for a lover in 17th-century literature and plays. It comes from the Greek 'philandros,' which actually meant 'loving one's husband.' The meaning flipped to describe a man who loves too many women.
Word relationships
- womanize: A more common, modern term for the same behavior.
- play around: An informal, colloquial way to describe the behavior.
- remain faithful: To stay loyal to one partner.
Commonly confused with
- flirt: Flirting is playful and doesn't necessarily involve sex or betrayal; philandering implies actual affairs.
Word family
- philanderer (noun): A man who philanders.
- philandering (noun/adjective): The act of engaging in many casual affairs.
Collocations
- known to philander
- habit of philandering
Example sentences
- "He spent his youth philandering across Europe, leaving a trail of broken hearts behind him." A character description in a play.
- "She was warned not to marry him, as he was known to philander even in his previous engagements." A warning about a man's reputation.
Memory hook
PHIL (love) + ANDER (man). A man who loves to love. The serial lover.
When not to use
Do not use for women (the equivalent might be 'coquette' or 'flirt,' though they have different nuances).
Fun facts
- The name 'Philander' was used as a proper name for characters in works by authors like Beaumont and Fletcher before it became a general verb.
Explore more words
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.