craven
Americanadjective
noun
verb (used with object)
idioms
adjective
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of craven
1175–1225; Middle English cravant, cravaunde defeated < Old French craventé, past participle of cravanter to crush, overwhelm (< Vulgar Latin *crepantāre ), influenced by Middle English creaunt defeated ( see recreant)
Explanation
A craven man is no Superman or Spiderman, nor is he a firefighter or a soldier. A craven man is the opposite of those guys: he has not an ounce of courage. In "The Wizard of Oz," the Cowardly Lion could have been called the Cravenly Lion, but that didn't sound quite right. Use craven as you would cowardly. A craven leader is scared to lead, while a craven gymnast stays on the mat and avoids the balance beam. You can also use the word to describe other things, besides humans. Craven policies, for example, are probably weak and do not take bold measures.
Vocabulary lists containing craven
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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"The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe
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Negative Words to Describe a Person
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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.
Without Craven to push the idea forward, aspirin’s cardiovascular benefits might have gone unnoticed.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026
This means we relegate ourselves to relying on the goodwill of physicians like Craven and piecemeal grant funding to uncover new uses and facilitate their adoption.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026
After appearing on Swap Shop, he received a signed photograph from presenter Craven, who wrote: "Best wishes on your future travels, Tony. We'll film you again when you've done all the non-league clubs."
From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026
Yet there has been so much more than silverware that has made his time at Craven Park a success.
From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026
“Lyddie,” Diana was saying softly, “Dr. Craven needs to look at the wound.”
From "Lyddie" by Katherine Paterson
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.
