bravura
Americannoun
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Music. a florid passage or piece requiring great skill and spirit in the performer.
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a display of daring; brilliant performance.
adjective
noun
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a display of boldness or daring
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music
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brilliance of execution
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( as modifier )
a bravura passage
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Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of bravura
First recorded in 1780–90; from Italian: literally, “spirit, dash”; see brave, -ure
Explanation
When a dancer spins flawlessly through an incredibly challenging routine, their performance is pure bravura, showcasing dazzling skill and bold confidence. Bravura is a noun that refers to a show of exceptional talent or daring, often in the arts. The term comes from Italian, meaning "bravery" or "spirit." It's commonly used to describe performances in music, theater, or dance that are not only technically impressive but also delivered with extraordinary confidence and style. Bravura can also apply to any act or feat that is executed with exceptional skill and daring, making it a celebration of human talent and boldness.
Vocabulary lists containing bravura
2015 Spelling Bee - Words from Round 2
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Bravura cinematography aligned the audience point of view with Lorraine’s terrifying otherworldly dreams of hauntings, possessions and demonic presence.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 4, 2025
Portugal's reservoirs have low water levels, with the Bravura dam of the most affected at only 15% full.
From Reuters • Jun. 17, 2022
Yulia and I often visited Marco Bravura, an Italian mosaic artist in his sixties, and his wife, Daniela, a gifted storyteller and cook.
From The New Yorker • May 6, 2019
Bravura turn of the week is the repeat of Simon Callow's The Mystery Of Charles Dickens.
From The Guardian • Jun. 22, 2013
I think thirty ducats would be enough for one of the Allegri di Bravura, but I should like to publish them here at the same time, which might easily be arranged.
From Beethoven's Letters 1790-1826, Volume 2 by Nohl, Ludwig
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
