brave

[breyv]

adjective

braver, bravest 

1. possessing or exhibiting courage or courageous endurance.

   Synonyms: heroic, dauntless, daring, intrepid, bold
   Antonyms: cowardly

2. making a fine appearance.

3. Archaic.,  excellent; fine; admirable.

noun

1. (used with a plural verb),  the brave. courageous people, collectively.

   the land of the free and the home of the brave.

2. Sometimes Offensive.,  a warrior, especially among North American Indian tribes.

3. Obsolete.

   1. a bully.

   2. a boast or challenge.

verb (used with object)

braved, braving 

1. to meet or face courageously.

   to brave misfortunes.

2. to defy; challenge; dare.

3. Obsolete.,  to make splendid.

verb (used without object)

braved, braving 

1. Obsolete.,  to boast; brag.

brave

/ breɪv /

adjective

1. 1. having or displaying courage, resolution, or daring; not cowardly or timid

   2. ( as collective noun preceded by the )

      the brave

2. fine; splendid

   a brave sight

   a brave attempt

3. archaic,  excellent or admirable

noun

1. a warrior of a Native American tribe

2. an obsolete word for bully 1

verb

1. to dare or defy

   to brave the odds

2. to confront with resolution or courage

   to brave the storm

3. obsolete,  to make splendid, esp in dress

Sensitive Note

See powwow.

Other Word Forms

• bravely adverb
• braveness noun
• overbrave adjective
• overbravely adverb
• overbraveness noun
• quasi-brave adjective
• quasi-bravely adverb
• superbrave adjective
• superbravely adverb
• superbraveness noun
• unbrave adjective
• unbravely adverb
• unbraveness noun
• unbraved adjective
• bravery noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of brave¹

First recorded in 1475–85; from Middle French, from Spanish bravo, either from Italian or directly from unattested Vulgar Latin brabus for Latin barbarus barbarous

Word History and Origins

Origin of brave¹

C15: from French, from Italian bravo courageous, wild, perhaps ultimately from Latin barbarus _barbarous

Synonym Study

Brave, courageous, valiant, fearless, gallant refer to confident bearing in the face of difficulties or dangers. Brave is the most comprehensive: it is especially used of that confident fortitude or daring that actively faces and endures anything threatening. Courageous implies a higher or nobler kind of bravery, especially as resulting from an inborn quality of mind or spirit that faces or endures perils or difficulties without fear and even with enthusiasm. Valiant implies a correspondence between an inner courageousness and external deeds, particularly of physical strength or endurance. Fearless implies unflinching spirit and coolness in the face of danger. Gallant implies a chivalrous, impetuous, or dashing bravery.

Example Sentences

The family put on a brave face in public, with West insisting that the core of their relationship had not altered.

Read more on BBC

Guijarro is both able to see the picture of the game before it happens and get her team on the front foot in a brave way, accelerating the tempo of the game appropriately.

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Rightly so – choosing to be outspoken, to go public with deeply held concerns, is often brave and noble.

Read more on BBC

It’s a lifeline — and a reminder that, even in the darkest of times, art has the power to transport us, sustain us and embolden us to be brave.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

I felt particularly aggrieved by the partners bragging about how well their wives had done, how brave and strong they’d been to deliver a healthy child.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• adventurous 
• audacious 
• confident 
• courageous 
• daring 
• dashing 
• fearless 
• foolhardy 
• gallant 
• gutsy 
• heroic 
• reckless 
• resolute 
• spirited 
• spunky 
• stout 
• strong 
• valiant