What does "knight-errant" mean?
A knight in a medieval romance who wanders in search of adventure and opportunities to prove his chivalry.
Knight-errant
noun
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A knight in a medieval romance who wanders in search of adventure and opportunities to prove his chivalry.
- Grammar: knight-errant is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: bachelor, banneret, baronet, caballero.
- Usage evidence: He made the decision to become a knight-errant.
How to use "knight-errant"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "knight-errant" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "knight-errant" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "knight-errant" as the right word for your sentence.
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Compare nearby meanings
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- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "knight-errant" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "bachelor" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A knight in a medieval romance who wanders in search of adventure and opportunities to prove his chivalry.
"In short, his wits being quite gone, [Don Quixote] hit upon the strangest notion that ever madman in this world hit upon, and that was that he fancied it was right and requisite, as well for the support of his own honour as for the service of his country, that he should make a knight-errant of himself, roaming the world over in full armour and on horseback in quest of adventures, and putting in practice himself all that he had read of as being the usual practices of knights-errant; righting every kind of wrong, and exposing himself to peril and danger from which, in the issue, he was to reap eternal renown and fame."
- 2 a wandering knight travelling in search of adventure wordnet
- 3 A person who displays an adventurous or a quixotic spirit.
""Welcome, my young knight-errant!" exclaimed Madame de Soissons. "I am expecting you to do wonders." "Nothing could be wonderful when performed in your service," replied the boy, with that readiness of compliment so characteristic of his time and court."
Example
"He made the decision to become a knight-errant."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "knight-errant"?
Common synonyms include: bachelor, banneret, baronet, caballero, cavalier, chevalier.
How do you use "knight-errant" in a sentence?
He made the decision to become a knight-errant.