English Explanatory Dictionary

brave

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Strong in the face of fear; courageous.
  2. Having any sort of superiority or excellence.
  3. Making a fine show or display.
  4. Foolish or unwise.
noun
  1. A Native American warrior.
  2. A man daring beyond discretion; a bully.
  3. A challenge; a defiance; bravado.
verb
  1. To encounter or withstand with courage and fortitude, to defy, to provoke.
  2. To adorn; to make fine or showy.
name
  1. A surname.
  2. A census-designated place in Greene County, Pennsylvania, United States.

Pronunciation

brāv /bɹeɪv/ en-us-brave.ogg /bɹæɪv/ /bɾev/ [bɾeːv] /bɾeːv/

Word forms

brave braver more brave bravest most brave braves braving braved

Etymology

From Middle French brave, borrowed from Italian bravo, itself of uncertain origin (see there). Doublet of bravo.

Synonyms

adventurous mettlesome aweless bad bold brass-balled chivalrous courageous daredevil daring dauntless doughty fearless fortitudinous gallant gutsy heroic intrepid lionhearted orped plucky stalwart stalworth stouthearted unafraid undaunted valiant valorous venturesome resilient

Antonyms

afraid cowardly cautious fearful frightened meek shy timid uncourageous unhearty mean weak

Related words

bravo bravura badass coward courage hero bravado bravery

Derived words

brave as a lion braveheart bravehood bravely braven braveness brave new world bravesome bravity embrave fortune favors the brave fortune favours the brave overbrave put a brave face on put on a brave face stunning and brave superbrave unbrave brave out braver outbrave
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