bravado

American  

[bruh-vah-doh] / brəˈvɑ doʊ /

noun

plural

bravadoes, bravados

1. a pretentious, swaggering display of courage.

   Synonyms:

   braggadocio, bombast, bluster, brag

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bravado British  

/ brəˈvɑːdəʊ /

noun

1. vaunted display of courage or self-confidence; swagger

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Related Words

See courage.

Other Word Forms

• overbravado noun

Etymology

Origin of bravado

First recorded in 1575–85; from Spanish bravada (now bravata, from Italian ), equivalent to brav(o) “brave” + -ada noun suffix; brave, -ade ¹

Explanation

If you act with bravado, you are making a bold showy statement. Picture a cowboy bursting through saloon doors in an old western, and you can picture bravado. The noun bravado is derived from the French and Italian words meaning "bragging and boasting," and it is related to the word bravo. Today, the word means an almost-over-the-top amount of courage, but it can also be used (often with the word false) to mean a false show of bravery: "It was her first day in the classroom and she was almost shaking with fear, but with false bravado — she took a deep breath and turned to face her students — 20 kindergartners."

Example Sentences

On the battlefield, the situation is far more complex — and dangerous — than the administration’s bravado suggests.

From Salon • Mar. 2, 2026

In an early review, Le Monde praised the book, saying: "Gisele Pelicot tells her story without bravado or self-pity."

From Barron's • Feb. 11, 2026

This Shakespearean traveling show, now at the Montalbán Theatre in Hollywood through Saturday, is a daredevil feat of memory, theatrical bravado and cardio fitness.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 25, 2026

Cignetti’s gotten a lot of attention for his bravado and his menacing sideline presence, in which he paces and stares like a customer who thinks the butcher’s hiding the best T-bones.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 20, 2026

All of my bravado from hijacking Elliot’s simulation test was draining away, and I was left with a familiar feeling of uncertainty.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin

Related Words

• bluster