dare

¹

[dair]

verb (used without object)

dared , durst , dared , daring ,

present-singular-3rd-person

dares, dare .

1. to have the necessary courage or boldness for something; be bold enough.

   You wouldn't dare!

verb (used with object)

dared , durst , dared , daring ,

present-singular-3rd-person

dares, dare .

1. to have the boldness to try; venture; hazard.

   Synonyms: brave

2. to meet defiantly; face courageously.

   They dared the waves of the North Atlantic.

3. to challenge or provoke (a person) into a demonstration of courage; defy.

   We dared him to show up at school dressed that way.

auxiliary verb

1. to have the necessary courage or boldness to (used chiefly in questions and negatives): He dare not mention the subject again.

   How dare you speak to me like that?

   He dare not mention the subject again.

noun

1. a challenge or provocation posed to someone to test their boldness or courage.

   I accepted the dare.

2. an action proposed to someone as a challenge or test of boldness or courage: She knew it was going to be a humiliating dare.

   Will he be able to complete the dare?

   She knew it was going to be a humiliating dare.

verb phrase

1. dare say.,  daresay.

Dare

²

[dair]

noun

1. Virginia 1587–?, daughter of Lost Colony settlers, the first child born in the Americas to English parents.

DARE

³

1. Dictionary of American Regional English.

dare

/ dɛə /

verb

1. (tr) to challenge (a person to do something) as proof of courage

2. (can take an infinitive with or without to) to be courageous enough to try (to do something)

   she dares to dress differently from the others

   you wouldn't dare!

3. rare,  (tr) to oppose without fear; defy

4. 1. (it is) quite possible (that)

   2. probably: used as sentence substitute

noun

1. a challenge to do something as proof of courage

2. something done in response to such a challenge

Usage

When used negatively or interrogatively, dare does not usually add -s: he dare not come; dare she come? When used negatively in the past tense, however, dare usually adds -d: he dared not come

Other Word Forms

• darer noun
• redare verb (used with object)
• undared adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dare¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English dar (verb), Old English dear(r), 1st and 3rd person singular present indicative of durran; akin to Old High German gitarran

Word History and Origins

Origin of dare¹

Old English durran ; related to Old High German turran to venture

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. on a dare, in response to being challenged to attempt something dangerous or bold.

   She scaled the wall on a dare.

Synonym Study

Dare, venture imply involvement in risks and dangers. Dare emphasizes the state of mind that makes one willing to meet danger: He dared to do what he knew was right. Venture emphasizes the act of doing something that involves risk: He ventured into deep water.

Example Sentences

“I’m not a U.S. citizen!” the guy yells, daring someone to detain him.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

I dare you — there was not a gay man in the production studio.

Read more on Salon

Simply joining in with his classmates' phonics practice was something his mum Claire says she "didn't dare to dream could happen".

Read more on BBC

What other mainstream title would dare the audience to confront their own “see no color” blind spots by immersing them in a narrative constructed around its amiable protagonist?

Read more on Salon

On its website, Vogue Magazine said Anderson had unlocked a "daring new Dior".

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• insult 
• oppose 
• provoke 
• resist 
• taunt 
• threaten 

When To Use

What does dare mean?

While the word dare is used widely and variously for bold behavior, a dare popularly refers to a silly or risky challenge a person is compelled to do as part of children's games.What are some other forms of dare?double dareWhat are some other words related to dare?

• truth or dare



• game on