SHIV-uhl-rus
Chivalrous describes behavior that is courteous, gallant, and honorable, especially toward women. It embodies the medieval knightly ideals of bravery, courtesy, honor, and great respect for others, particularly those who are vulnerable or in need of protection.
18
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
💡 Pro Tip:
CHIVALROUS contains two high-value letters: H (4 pts) and V (4 pts). Its 10 letters make it perfect for bingo plays when you can use all 7 tiles from your rack. The word also contains useful letter combinations like CH- and -OUS that appear in many other words.
Chivalrous describes a person, particularly a man, who demonstrates courtesy, honor, bravery, and respectful behavior, especially toward women. The word embodies the idealized qualities of medieval knights: gallantry, courage, loyalty, and a protective attitude toward those perceived as weaker or in need of assistance. In modern usage, it often refers to polite, considerate behavior that goes beyond ordinary courtesy.
The concept of chivalrous behavior encompasses both grand gestures and small acts of consideration. A chivalrous person might hold doors open, offer their seat to others, defend someone from unfair treatment, or show exceptional respect and courtesy in their interactions. While traditionally associated with male behavior toward women, modern interpretations of chivalry can apply to anyone displaying noble, courteous conduct toward others.
Interestingly, the medieval concept of chivalry was much broader than modern romantic notions suggest. Knights were expected to show prowess in battle, loyalty to their lord, generosity to the poor, protection of the church, and courtesy to noble women. This code of conduct developed partly to civilize the warrior class and channel their violence into socially acceptable forms. The chivalrous ideal combined Christian virtues with aristocratic values and military excellence.
In contemporary society, "chivalrous" behavior sparks debate. Some view it as a positive expression of respect and consideration, while others see certain chivalrous acts as patronizing or based on outdated gender assumptions. The key distinction often lies in whether the behavior stems from genuine respect for all people or from beliefs about gender-based weakness and strength.
In word games, CHIVALROUS is a valuable 10-letter word worth 18 points in Scrabble before any multipliers. Its combination of common and high-value letters (H and V each worth 4 points) makes it both playable and rewarding. The word is particularly useful because it contains several common letter patterns that can help in building other words or finding suitable board positions.
The word "chivalrous" has a fascinating equestrian origin that reflects the mounted warrior culture of medieval Europe. It derives from the Old French chevaleros meaning "knightly," which comes from chevalier (knight), ultimately from Medieval Latin caballarius meaning "horseman." The root caballus means "horse" in Latin.
The word's evolution through different periods:
Related words from the same Latin root include:
The semantic journey from "horseman" to "courteous and honorable" reflects how mounted knights became the elite warrior class of medieval Europe. As their social status rose, so did expectations for their behavior. The church and nobility promoted codes of chivalry to channel knightly violence into acceptable forms and create a warrior ethos compatible with Christian values.
Words with similar meaning
Gallant
Brave, heroic, and courteous
Courteous
Polite and respectful in manner
Noble
Having fine personal qualities
Gentlemanly
Well-mannered and considerate
Valiant
Showing courage or determination
Honorable
Bringing or worthy of honor
Words with opposite meaning
Rude
Offensively impolite or ill-mannered
Discourteous
Showing bad manners; impolite
Cowardly
Lacking courage; ignoble
Boorish
Rough and bad-mannered
Churlish
Rude in a mean-spirited way
Ignoble
Not honorable in character
Adverb Form
chivalrously
He chivalrously offered his coat.
Noun Form
chivalry
Medieval chivalry had strict codes.
Related Noun
chivalrousness
His chivalrousness impressed everyone.
Historical Term
chevalier
A chevalier was a knight or horseman.
Related Terms
Courteous and gallant conduct
A man of courteous behavior
A deed showing gallantry
A courteous or protective action
"His chivalrous instincts kicked in when he saw the elderly woman struggling with her groceries, and he immediately offered to carry them to her car."
"Despite living in the 21st century, Marcus maintained a chivalrous demeanor that some found charming and others considered outdated."
"The knight's chivalrous dedication to protecting the innocent made him a legend throughout the kingdom, inspiring songs and stories for generations."
Sir Walter Scott: "The chivalrous spirit recognizes the obligations of protection toward those unable to protect themselves."
Modern context: "His chivalrous gesture of walking on the traffic side of the sidewalk was a small but thoughtful detail."
Medieval text: "The chivalrous knight pledged his sword to defend the church, the poor, and all womankind."
Total base points: 18 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 4 | Consonants: 6
High-value letters: C, H, V (11 pts combined)
10-letter anagrams and related words
Full anagrams:
Can be extended to:
Contains these words:
💡 Tip: The CH- beginning and -OUS ending are productive for word building!
If you can't play CHIVALROUS, consider these subwords:
The concept of chivalry has undergone dramatic transformation from its medieval origins. What began as a warrior code focused on military prowess and feudal loyalty evolved through literature into romantic ideals of courtly love. The Arthurian legends, particularly stories of Lancelot and Guinevere, transformed chivalry from battlefield ethics to romantic behavior.
The 19th century saw a revival and reinterpretation of chivalry. Victorian gentlemen adopted chivalrous behavior as a marker of class and refinement. This era solidified the connection between chivalry and male courtesy toward women, creating the "gentleman" ideal that persists today. Writers like Sir Walter Scott popularized romanticized medieval chivalry.
Modern chivalry sparks heated debates about gender roles and equality. Some view chivalrous acts (opening doors, pulling out chairs) as respectful gestures, while others see them as patronizing or reinforcing outdated gender dynamics. The #MeToo movement has prompted reevaluation of which behaviors are truly respectful versus those assuming female weakness.
Different cultures interpret chivalrous behavior differently. In some societies, chivalrous gestures remain expected social etiquette, while in others they're seen as antiquated. The concept has evolved into broader discussions about respect, consent, and equality, moving beyond gender-specific applications to encompass general courtesy and consideration for all.
Chivalrous vs. Chauvinistic
Chivalrous = courteous; Chauvinistic = sexist superiority
Chivalrous vs. Cavalier
Chivalrous = gallant; Cavalier = dismissive
Not gender-exclusive
Anyone can display chivalrous behavior
Pronunciation: SHIV-uhl-rus
Not "chi-VAL-rous" or "CHIV-al-rous"
GALLANT
Brave and heroic
COURTEOUS
Polite and respectful
NOBLE
Having fine qualities
VALIANT
Showing courage
KNIGHTLY
Befitting a knight
GENTLEMANLY
Well-mannered
QUIXOTIC
Idealistic but impractical
CAVALIER
Offhand (different meaning)
CHIVALRY
The quality itself
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