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to cavort

to cavort

12 7.7
To jump and move around in a playful, excited way
  • verb
  • /kəˈvɔrt/
translation icon : juguetear
  • After winning the game, the players cavorted joyfully on the field, celebrating their victory.
  • see cavorting

Who wouldn't want to see a Sama cavorting down the streets armed with nothing but the thirst for infidel blood and a rainbow thong?

Examples

  • In this scene, humans are shown cavorting, singing, working, crying, and even carrying out sacrifices.

    Academic text (2005)
  • I can now see two children emerging from behind the hedges and cavorting in the snow near the snowman.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • Suddenly, the air is filled with the sounds of people cavorting in the pool.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • From our boat, I saw cavorting dolphins occasionally breaking the surface of the water.

    Academic text (2004)
  • I am too old to be cavorting around the dancefloor with a girl half my age.

  • At last, in the moonlight, she saw the dogs coming, their shadows cavorting on the snow.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • Christopher Columbus is said to have reported sighting them cavorting off the coast of Hispaniola in 1493!

    Academic text (1996)
  • Waving pitchforks and wearing regulation umpires' uniforms, they cavorted along the baselines with hellish glee.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • The children cavorted in the garden, laughing and chasing each other under the warm sun.

  • At the festival, people cavorted together, dancing and singing to the lively music.

Synonyms

to run around
vsto cavort
217 1.1

To play and move quickly in different directions while making noise

is lively and playful but not focused on chaotic direction changes
to sport
vsto cavort
39 2.7

To play or move around in a lively, cheerful way

is lively and playful but may be slightly less boisterous
to scamper
vsto cavort
22 3.2

To move quickly with small, light, playful steps

is playful and excited but tends to involve broader lively movements
to prance around
vsto cavort
  • Informal
15 4.1

To move with high, lively steps in a playful way

is lively and playful but not specifically high-stepping or proud
to romp
vsto cavort
  • Literature
8 2.8

To run and play in a lively, energetic way

expresses lively play too but can be more excited than simple play
to frolic
vsto cavort
8 3.3

To play and move about happily

is similar but often emphasizes lively motion more than cheerfulness
to rollick
vsto cavort
4 7.3

To play and move in a loud, happy way

is also high energy but focuses more on excited motion itself
to caper
vsto cavort
3 5.1

To jump or skip around in a lively, playful way

moves around in a lively, playful way but not only by jumping
to frisk
vsto cavort
3 4.4

To move in a happy, lively way, often by jumping or skipping

shares energy and play but is not limited to skipping
to lark
vsto cavort
  • UK
2 7.4

To play in a lively, carefree way

is similarly playful and excited but can be more physical in motion
to gambol
vsto cavort
  • Literature
1 8.0

To run or jump playfully with a lot of energy

is similarly lively and playful but more general in movement
to disport
vsto cavort
  • Archaic
1 9.6

To enjoy yourself by behaving in a lively, playful way

is playful too but usually stresses active movement over amusement
to lark about
vsto cavort
  • UK
1 8.1

To play and joke in a silly way and sometimes cause trouble

shows lively movement and excitement but not necessarily silliness or mischief
to woogie
vsto cavort
  • Informal
1 9.9

To dance in a joyful, energetic way

is lively and playful too but not tied specifically to music movement
to skylark
vsto cavort
  • UK
8.4

To play and run around in a lively carefree way

is lively and playful but may be more physical than carefree fun

Antonyms

Stay upright in one place without moving

How Playful

to cavort
12 7.7
to gambol
  • Literature
1 8.0
to frolic
8 3.3
to skip
77 1.0

Surface Forms

cavort infinitive
cavorted past
cavorted past participle
cavorting present participle
cavorts third person singular

Etymology

Cavort probably comes from older words meaning 'to leap' or 'to prance' and is like the English word caper. So picture someone happily jumping and playing like a goat — that image helps explain why cavort means to move around in a lively, playful way.