(pronounced ka-veh-LIR)

This regal sounding word is an adjective meaning given to thoughtless and often condescending dismissal of weighty matters. Louis XVI’s consort Marie-Antoinette had one of the most widely known cavalier outlooks when she supposedly said “Let them eat cake!” after being informed that the French people had no bread to eat. Nice…

Example: Ralph’s cavalier attitude about the strip mall project’s approaching deadline was not only impacting the firm’s future relationship with the developer, but it was putting his role as project manager in jeopardy.