casanova: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low-MediumInformal
Quick answer
What does “casanova” mean?
A man known for having many casual romantic or sexual relationships.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A man known for having many casual romantic or sexual relationships; a seducer of women.
Can be used to describe someone who is charming, persuasive, and frequently changes romantic partners. Also used adjectivally to describe behavior or characteristics typical of such a person.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical in meaning and register.
Connotations
Often humorous or mildly derogatory. Less severe than 'womanizer' or 'philanderer'.
Frequency
Slightly more common in American English, though well-established in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “casanova” in a Sentence
[be/consider] a CasanovaHe's a bit of a Casanova.He has a Casanova-like charm.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “casanova” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He's not one to casanova his way through the office party—he's quite shy.
- Stop trying to casanova every woman you meet.
American English
- He spent the summer trying to Casanova his way around Europe.
- Don't Casanova the new intern; it's unprofessional.
adverb
British English
- He behaved quite casanova-ly, which was off-putting.
American English
- He smiled Casanova-like across the room.
adjective
British English
- He has a certain casanova charm about him.
- His casanova reputation preceded him.
American English
- He pulled a real Casanova move by sending flowers to three different women.
- That was a pretty Casanova thing to do.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, unless metaphorically describing a charismatic but unreliable person in sales or PR.
Academic
Rare, except in historical or literary studies referring to the actual person.
Everyday
Used humorously or teasingly to describe someone's romantic behaviour.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “casanova”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “casanova”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “casanova”
- Capitalizing it in the middle of a sentence when used as a common noun (incorrect: 'He is a CasaNova.' Correct: 'He is a casanova.').
- Using it as a verb without context (e.g., 'He tried to casanova her.' is non-standard).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not always. It often carries a tone of humorous or admiring disapproval, focusing on charm and success rather than just negative exploitation.
It is very rare and non-standard. Terms like 'femme fatale' or 'siren' are more typical for women, though 'casanova' is sometimes used playfully or in feminist reclaiming.
When referring specifically to Giacomo Casanova, yes. When used as a common noun meaning a seducer, it is usually not capitalized in modern usage (e.g., 'he's a real casanova').
Both imply pleasure-seeking. 'Playboy' often emphasizes wealth, luxury, and a hedonistic lifestyle, while 'Casanova' focuses more specifically on romantic/sexual conquests and personal charm.
A man known for having many casual romantic or sexual relationships.
Casanova is usually informal in register.
Casanova: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkæsəˈnəʊvə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkæsəˈnoʊvə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “play the Casanova”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine someone saying, 'He's not just Casper (a ghost), he's Casanova!' to mean he's very charming with women, not friendly with ghosts.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PERSON IS A HISTORICAL/ARCHETYPAL FIGURE.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST likely synonym for 'casanova'?