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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.

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