bravery
American
Synonym Usage
See courage.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of bravery
First recorded in 1540–50; probably from Italian braveria; equivalent to brave + -ery
Compare meaning
How does bravery compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
Bravery is the admirable quality of being able to confront frightening things. It takes bravery for a knight to battle a dragon, but it also takes bravery for a shy child to walk into a new classroom. You can also call bravery courage or valor. Firefighters are often acknowledged for their bravery, but everyday people also act with bravery if they confront their fears. Even though you're scared when you jump out of the plane with your skydiving instructor, the fact that you're doing it at all takes real bravery. It also takes bravery to pet a friend's German shepherd, especially if you are afraid of dogs. The earliest meaning of bravery was closer to bravado: "daring, defiance, and boasting."
Vocabulary lists containing bravery
"Saying Yes" and "A Lion Hunt"
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Part 1 Vocabulary (Unit 5)
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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.
See Examples For:
The passengers on board the aircraft were overwhelmingly Israeli, with Netanyahu hailing them and the pilot for their bravery after the foiled attack.
From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2026
She said he had been an "excellent" police officer who had been commended and nominated for a bravery award during his career.
From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026
Among them are white male entitlement versus the crushing demands of Black exceptionalism; the complicated bond linking fathers to sons; and the agonizing bravery required of mothers raising boys the world is conditioned to ostracize.
From Salon ● Oct. 5, 2026
“The bravery of everyone on that plane honestly just showed how in moments like that, life is the top priority, which was really beautiful to see.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 3, 2026
Herr Seligmann fought in the Great War, where he was wounded and earned the Iron Cross for his bravery.
From "The Boy Who Dared" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
By the end, Parkinson’s and his past braveries in the ring had rendered Ali near immobile and mute.
From New York Times ● Jun. 4, 2016
Following the high-kneed, fancy twirling majorettes, some 30 bands gave out, in the simple-hearted braveries of Western brass and the intricate Oriental din of bells, cymbals and gongs.
From Time Magazine Archive
To no avail does he protest his former braveries and services; the Queen scourges him with words.
From Time Magazine Archive
He knew most of the secrets, weaknesses, and the braveries of Salinas.
From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck
As his health mended, as the braveries of spring drew near, he would have risen again to the assurance he gave me that the Mind is immortal and invincible.
From Boon, The Mind of the Race, The Wild Asses of the Devil, and The Last Trump; Being a First Selection from the Literary Remains of George Boon, Appropriate to the Times by H. G. (Herbert George) Wells
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
