boldly

American  

[bohld-lee] / ˈboʊld li /

adverb

1. without hesitation or fear in the face of risk or danger; courageously.

   To those who so boldly fought and died for our freedom, I apologize that so many have thrown it away.

2. without worrying about the opinion or judgment of others.

   He uttered his prayer loudly, boldly, not caring if the others overheard.

3. without regard for the rules of propriety or morality; impudently or brazenly.

   The chutzpah it takes to lie so boldly is epic!

4. in a way that goes beyond usual limits of conventional thought or action; in a visionary or imaginative way.

   The new concert hall demonstrates that an intimate musical experience and boldly innovative architecture need not be in conflict.

5. in a way that is visually striking or arresting; in a showy or flashy way.

   The boldly striped entrance hall makes a dramatic opening statement in this home.

   The male is an attractive and boldly marked bird, while the female is comparatively drab.

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Other Word Forms

• overboldly adverb
• superboldly adverb
• unboldly adverb

Etymology

Origin of boldly

bold ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Handsome was readying himself to step onto the rock where Major Puff presently stood when suddenly the puffin boldly shouted, “Finally, a real battle! Take that!” while hopping backward away from Handsome.

From Literature

Paramount all along had boldly maintained that Netflix’s offer isn’t superior.

From The Wall Street Journal

The film boldly contemplates the atmosphere of Brontë’s novel with both a straight face and a sense of humor.

From Salon

Unable to go back and start again, unable to go forward boldly, because the position of its leader is in such peril.

From BBC

With these it balanced itself boldly on lily pads and waterweeds.

From Literature

Related Words

• brazenly
• courageously
• daringly
• eagerly
• fearlessly