intrepid
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
- intrepidity noun
- intrepidly adverb
- intrepidness noun
Etymology
Origin of intrepid
First recorded in 1690–1700; from Latin intrepidus, equivalent to in- in- 3 + trepidus “anxious”; trepidation
Explanation
Intrepid is just a fancy word for describing a person or action that is bold and brave. Super heroes are intrepid in their struggle for truth and justice. Some synonyms are fearless, courageous, dauntless, or valiant, but the word intrepid suggests a lack of fear in dealing with something new or unknown. This adjective comes from Latin intrepidus, formed from the prefix in-, "not" and trepidus, "alarmed."
Vocabulary lists containing intrepid
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
100 Top "SAT" Words
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
ASVAB Word Knowledge
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
The BBC show challenges pairs of travellers to tackle an intrepid expedition with no phone and limited cash.
From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026
"Most people have this image of an intrepid explorer braving an isolated mountain or some other remote place, and stumbling across a creature that no one has ever seen before," Chan said.
From Science Daily • Mar. 9, 2026
As a writer and storyboard artist, she helped intrepid heroes Jake the Dog and Finn the Human become iconic toon characters.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 17, 2026
There were plenty of intrepid female war reporters, but on Flanner’s sole trip to a battlefield, she dressed in pink pants; red, fur-lined cowboy boots; and matching mittens.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 19, 2026
We knew he was intrepid, for he had held his own in var- ious gunfights; besides, he looked like a sheriff—the only kind we knew about.
From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck
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.
