coward

¹ American  

[kou-erd] / ˈkaʊ ərd /

noun

1. a person who lacks courage in facing danger, difficulty, opposition, pain, etc.; a timid or easily intimidated person.

   Synonyms:

   milksop, recreant, dastard, poltroon, craven

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adjective

1. lacking courage; very fearful or timid.

2. proceeding from or expressive of fear or timidity.

   a coward cry.

Coward ² American  

[kou-erd] / ˈkaʊ ərd /

noun

1. Noel, 1899–1973, English playwright, author, actor, and composer.

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Coward ¹ British  

/ ˈkaʊəd /

noun

1. Sir Noël ( Pierce ). 1899–1973, English dramatist, actor, and composer, noted for his sophisticated comedies, which include Private Lives (1930) and Blithe Spirit (1941)

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coward ² British  

/ ˈkaʊəd /

noun

1. a person who shrinks from or avoids danger, pain, or difficulty

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Etymology

Origin of coward

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Old French couard-, couart “cowardly,” from coue “tail” (from Latin cauda, cōda ) + -art -ard

Example Sentences

"Today, we won't reflect on the loss of a coward," said the Police Association of Victoria.

From Barron's

"Stop being a coward and take Estevao off, it's not fair," rival parents would complain.

From BBC

He earlier called Nato allies "cowards" for refusing to offer warships for what he described as a "simple" military task with "little risk".

From BBC

If she hadn’t called him a coward, he might have felt sorry for her.

From Literature

“Sometimes you’re forced to make a decision that shows you who you really are, and it turns out who you really are is a coward.”

From Literature

Related Words

• wimp