cavort
C2 (Less Common)Informal, Literary
Definition
Meaning
to jump, dance, or move around in a playful, lively, and energetic way, often with a lack of seriousness.
To engage in lively, sometimes excessive or uninhibited, activity or merrymaking; to move or proceed in a frisky or lively manner.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies playful, unrestrained, or even slightly mischievous activity. It frequently carries a positive connotation of high spirits but can also describe frivolous or silly behaviour.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage. The word is used in both varieties with the same semantic range.
Connotations
Slightly more likely to be used in literary or humorous contexts in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally uncommon in both UK and US English. Slightly more likely to appear in US media, but not significantly so.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
intransitive (verb only)cavort + preposition (around, about, in, on, through)cavort + adverb (playfully, happily)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to cavort about like a spring lamb (to be very lively and playful)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Almost never used. Could be used metaphorically and humorously, e.g., 'After the merger, the stock price cavorted wildly.'
Academic
Extremely rare. Might appear in literary analysis or descriptions of animal behaviour.
Everyday
Used occasionally in descriptive speech, especially about children, animals, or in humorous observations.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The foals cavort in the paddock every morning.
- After the exams, the students cavorted about town in celebration.
American English
- The kids were cavorting around the sprinkler in the backyard.
- Puppies cavorted playfully on the living room rug.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The little dogs cavort happily in the park.
- Look at the lambs cavorting in the field!
- After the announcement, the fans cavorted wildly in the streets.
- Tourists cavorted on the beach, enjoying the unexpected sunshine.
- The satire shows politicians cavorting with lobbyists at a lavish party.
- Her imagination cavorted through possibilities she had never before considered.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a CAVe where ORTers (a playful goblin) are jumping around playfully. CAVE + ORT = CAVORT.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIVELINESS IS PLAYFUL PHYSICAL MOVEMENT (e.g., ideas can cavort in the mind). FREEDOM IS UNINHIBITED MOVEMENT.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not synonymous with 'вертеться' (to spin/turn). The focus is on energetic, joyful movement, not rotation.
- Not a direct translation for 'резвиться', though close. 'Cavort' is slightly more specific to jumping/frisking motions.
- Avoid using for simple 'dance' (танцевать); it implies a less structured, more spontaneous movement.
Common Mistakes
- Using it transitively (*He cavorted the dog). It is intransitive.
- Using it for negative, aggressive, or slow movement. It is positive and energetic.
- Overusing it; it is a low-frequency word suitable for specific, vivid descriptions.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'cavort' INCORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is informal and literary. It's best used in creative writing, descriptive speech, or journalism aiming for a vivid effect.
Its primary meaning is playful and positive. However, it can be used disapprovingly to imply silly, frivolous, or undignified behaviour, especially in adults (e.g., 'cavorting at the office party').
They are very close synonyms. 'Cavort' can imply slightly more vigorous, jumping movement, while 'frolic' is a more general term for playful activity. 'Cavort' is also less common.
Its origin is uncertain. It first appeared in American English around 1793. It is possibly an alteration of 'curvet', a horse's leap, or from 'cavault', a dialectal variant of 'caper'.