bold
- not hesitating or fearful in the face of actual or possible danger or rebuff; courageous and daring: a bold hero.
- not hesitating to break the rules of propriety; forward; impudent: He apologized for being so bold as to speak to the emperor.
- necessitating courage and daring; challenging: a bold adventure.
- beyond the usual limits of conventional thought or action; imaginative: Einstein was a bold mathematician. a difficult problem needing a bold answer.
- striking or conspicuous to the eye; flashy; showy: a bold pattern.
- steep; abrupt: a bold promontory.
- Nautical. deep enough to be navigable close to the shore: bold waters.
- Printing. typeset in boldface.
- Obsolete. trusting; assured.
- be/make (so) bold, to presume or venture; dare: I made bold to offer my suggestion.
Origin of bold
Synonyms for bold
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comSynonym study
Antonyms for bold
Related Words for bold
daring, resolute, audacious, courageous, fearless, adventurous, heroic, brash, confident, smart, gutsy, vivid, colorful, forceful, definite, eye-catching, spirited, flashy, strong, loudExamples from the Web for bold
Contemporary Examples of bold
The well, ghost or no ghost, is certainly a piece of history with a bold presence.
Or bold stands that may not preserve our security today or tomorrow, but keep our principles safely intact?
Then, under the bold headline “Rebooting Spider-Man,” Robinov describes a broad vision for the future of the franchise.
Exclusive: Sony Hack Reveals Studio's Detailed Plans For Another ‘Spider-Man’ RebootWilliam Boot
December 13, 2014
The 2014 election was a wipeout, progressives say, because Democrats lacked a bold economic message to inspire voters.
The declaration adopted by the meeting was a bold step, but it did not a revolution make.
Historical Examples of bold
He was bold enough to brave the consequences of this act, which he foresaw clearly.
Brave and BoldHoratio Alger
Robert left the office, with a bold bearing, but a heart full of trouble.
Brave and BoldHoratio Alger
In our own single manhood to be bold, Fortressed in conscience and impregnable.'
The Grand Old ManRichard B. Cook
Again we reiterate, only the bold brush could have pleased them.
The Dramatic Values in PlautusWilton Wallace Blancke
I tell you all: don't you get so bold as to stand in my road.
The Dramatic Values in PlautusWilton Wallace Blancke
bold
- courageous, confident, and fearless; ready to take risks
- showing or requiring couragea bold plan
- immodest or impudentshe gave him a bold look
- standing out distinctly; conspicuousa figure carved in bold relief
- very steepthe bold face of the cliff
- imaginative in thought or expressionthe novel's bold plot
- printing set in bold face
- printing short for bold face
Word Origin for bold
Word Origin and History for bold
Old English beald (West Saxon), bald (Anglian) "bold, brave, confident, strong," from Proto-Germanic *balthaz (cf. Old High German bald "bold, swift," in names such as Archibald, Leopold, Theobald; Gothic balþei "boldness;" Old Norse ballr "frightful, dangerous"), perhaps from PIE *bhol-to- suffixed form of *bhel- (2) "to blow, swell" (see bole).
Of flavors (coffee, etc.) from 1829. The noun meaning "those who are bold" is from c.1300. Old French and Provençal baut "bold," Italian baldo "bold, daring, fearless" are Germanic loan-words.
Idioms and Phrases with bold
bold
In addition to the idiom beginning with bold
- bold as brass
also see:
- big and bold
- make bold