bravado
Americannoun
plural
bravadoes, bravadosnoun
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
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.
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
Jeremy Allen White’s portrayal of the Boss, brimming with bravado onstage but nearing a breakdown at home, recently earned him a Golden Globe nomination.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 30, 2025
For all his bulk and bravado, Kohl Whitlock was just a scared little kid.
From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman
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.
