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View synonyms for brave

brave

[ breyv ]

adjective

, brav·er, brav·est.
  1. possessing or exhibiting courage or courageous endurance.

    Synonyms: heroic, dauntless, daring, intrepid, bold

    Antonyms: cowardly

  2. making a fine appearance.
  3. Archaic. excellent; fine; admirable.


noun

  1. the brave. (used with a plural verb) courageous people, collectively:

    the land of the free and the home of the brave.

  2. Sometimes Offensive. a warrior, especially among North American Indian tribes.
  3. Obsolete.
    1. a bully.
    2. a boast or challenge.

verb (used with object)

, braved, brav·ing.
  1. to meet or face courageously:

    to brave misfortunes.

  2. Obsolete. to make splendid.

verb (used without object)

, braved, brav·ing.
  1. Obsolete. to boast; brag.

brave

/ breɪv /

adjective

    1. having or displaying courage, resolution, or daring; not cowardly or timid
    2. ( as collective noun preceded by the )

      the brave

  1. fine; splendid

    a brave attempt

    a brave sight

  2. archaic.
    excellent or admirable
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


noun

  1. a warrior of a Native American tribe
  2. an obsolete word for bully 1
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to dare or defy

    to brave the odds

  2. to confront with resolution or courage

    to brave the storm

  3. obsolete.
    to make splendid, esp in dress
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Sensitive Note

See powwow.
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Derived Forms

  • ˈbraveness, noun
  • ˈbravery, noun
  • ˈbravely, adverb
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Other Words From

  • brave·ly adverb
  • brave·ness noun
  • o·ver·brave adjective
  • o·ver·brave·ly adverb
  • o·ver·brave·ness noun
  • qua·si-brave adjective
  • qua·si-brave·ly adverb
  • su·per·brave adjective
  • su·per·brave·ly adverb
  • su·per·brave·ness noun
  • un·brave adjective
  • un·brave·ly adverb
  • un·brave·ness noun
  • un·braved adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of brave1

First recorded in 1475–85; from Middle French, from Spanish bravo, either from Italian or directly from unattested Vulgar Latin brabus for Latin barbarus barbarous
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Word History and Origins

Origin of brave1

C15: from French, from Italian bravo courageous, wild, perhaps ultimately from Latin barbarus barbarous
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Synonym Study

Brave, courageous, valiant, fearless, gallant refer to confident bearing in the face of difficulties or dangers. Brave is the most comprehensive: it is especially used of that confident fortitude or daring that actively faces and endures anything threatening. Courageous implies a higher or nobler kind of bravery, especially as resulting from an inborn quality of mind or spirit that faces or endures perils or difficulties without fear and even with enthusiasm. Valiant implies a correspondence between an inner courageousness and external deeds, particularly of physical strength or endurance. Fearless implies unflinching spirit and coolness in the face of danger. Gallant implies a chivalrous, impetuous, or dashing bravery.
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Example Sentences

What I had “on the girls” were some remarkably brave first-person accounts.

“He was a brave field commander and an expert in intelligence, and in organizing popular and tribal forces,” said the eulogist.

But what he did was reasonably brave and freighted with all the symbolism of which he was well aware.

These brave souls took an icy dip in the ocean to ring in 2015 and raise money for charity.

Or you may not have many—or any—friends, recasting your social exclusion as brave defiance of social norms.

Nogués and his brave lads have done their bit indeed for the glory of the Army of France.

Its record is largely that of battles and sieges, of the brave adventure of discovery and the vexed slaughter of the nations.

I feel proud and happy to shelter beneath my roof any of our valued and brave allies.

A few words explained his errand; but the brave Englishman would hardly hear it to the end.

Then the friars call the natives Spaniards and the military officers own us as their sons and they dub us brave soldiers.

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Bravais latticebrave face, put on a