volage
fickle, flirtatious
adjective voh-LAZH Rare
Origin: Old French volage, from voler (to fly) — evoking lightness and flightiness
Also means
capricious (in love)
Usage Note
Volage is an invariable adjective (same form for masculine and feminine) and describes someone who is unfaithful or constantly changing romantic partners. It has a slightly literary or old-fashioned tone; in everyday speech infidèle or inconstant(e) are more common. The etymological link to voler (to fly) captures the image of someone who 'flies from flower to flower', like a butterfly.
Examples
"Son coeur volage ne s'attache à personne."
Natural Translation
His fickle heart attaches to no one.
Related Words
Explore French by topic
FrenchNow
6 min read
FrenchNow
5 min read