Philanderer: meaning, definitions and examples

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philanderer

 

[ fɪˈlændərər ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

person's behavior

A philanderer is someone who habitually seeks sexual or romantic relationships with multiple partners and is not committed to any one person.

Synonyms

flirt, player, womanizer.

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Word Description / Examples
philanderer

Used to describe a man who engages in love affairs frivolously or casually, often with a negative connotation implying deceit or irresponsibility.

  • He's known as a philanderer who breaks hearts wherever he goes.
  • The philanderer was caught seeing multiple women at the same time.
womanizer

Specifically refers to a man who has numerous casual sexual relationships with women. It often implies a pattern of behavior and carries a negative connotation.

  • His reputation as a womanizer made it hard for him to find a serious partner.
  • She broke up with him after realizing he was a womanizer.
flirt

Refers to someone who behaves as if they are attracted to other people in a playful, often casual, way. This term can be used for both men and women, and is less negative compared to 'philanderer'.

  • She’s such a flirt; she's always making everyone smile.
  • He tends to flirt with everyone at the party, but it’s all in good fun.
player

Describes someone, often a man, who engages in multiple romantic or sexual relationships without commitment. It carries a slightly negative connotation, suggesting manipulation or a lack of sincerity.

  • Be careful, he's a known player and doesn't take relationships seriously.
  • She got tired of dating players who never wanted anything serious.

Examples of usage

  • He was known as a notorious philanderer, breaking hearts wherever he went.
  • The tabloids were full of stories about the philanderer's latest scandalous escapades.

Translations

Translations of the word "philanderer" in other languages:

🇵🇹 mulherengo

🇮🇳 व्यभिचारी

🇩🇪 Schürzenjäger

🇮🇩 tukang gombal

🇺🇦 бабій

🇵🇱 kobietarz

🇯🇵 浮気者 (uwakimono)

🇫🇷 coureur de jupons

🇪🇸 mujeriego

🇹🇷 zampara

🇰🇷 바람둥이 (baramdungi)

🇸🇦 زير نساء (zir nisa')

🇨🇿 sukničkář

🇸🇰 sukničkár

🇨🇳 花花公子 (huāhuā gōngzǐ)

🇸🇮 ženskar

🇮🇸 kvennabósi

🇰🇿 әйелқұмар (äyelqumar)

🇬🇪 ქალთამგრძნობი (k'alt'amgzrmobi)

🇦🇿 qadın düşkünü

🇲🇽 mujeriego

Etymology

The term 'philanderer' dates back to the late 17th century and is derived from the Greek word 'philandros', meaning 'fond of men'. Originally, it referred to someone who had many male friends, but over time, its meaning shifted to focus on romantic or sexual relationships. The concept of philandering has been present in literature and society for centuries, often portrayed in a negative light due to its association with infidelity and lack of commitment.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,123, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.