brave

American  

[breyv] / breɪv /

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)

braves, present (3rd person singular) braved, past participle, past braving present participle

1. to meet or face courageously.

   to brave misfortunes.

2. to defy; challenge; dare.

3. Obsolete. to make splendid.

verb (used without object)

braves, present (3rd person singular) braved, past participle, past braving present participle

1. Obsolete. to boast; brag.

brave British  

/ 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.

Synonym Usage

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.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

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

Conjugated Forms

Present

• has braved
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have braved
  perfect
• is braving
  progressive 3rd person singular
• has been braving
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• am braving
  progressive 1st person singular
• are braving
  progressive
• have been braving
  perfect progressive
• braving
  participle
• braves
  singular 3rd person

Past

• had braved
  perfect
• was braving
  progressive singular
• were braving
  progressive plural
• braved
  participle
• braved
  simple
• had been braving
  perfect progressive

Future

• will brave
  simple
• will have braved
  perfect
• will be braving
  progressive
• will have been braving
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of brave

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

Explanation

Courageous, dauntless, perhaps a little bit daring, a person who is brave faces dangerous or difficult situations with courage. The adjective brave can be used to describe anyone or anything that displays courage, such as a brave firefighter, a brave guide dog, or even brave holiday shoppers. In addition to its adjective form, the word brave can also act as a verb. Use the verb brave when you want to say that someone is facing a dangerous or unpleasant situation courageously: “Only the hardiest skiers were able to brave the icy conditions and complete the course.” Both adjective and verb forms of the word share a common meaning — the sense of having courage or acting fearlessly.

Example Sentences

Corteen-Coleman has taken 17 wickets in as many games for Southern Brave in The Hundred and has nine wickets in four matches for Surrey in the One-day Cup this season.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

Brave the April showers with gear that walks the line between fashionable and technical.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

“Brave people. Brave officials. Brave leaders. This combination cannot be defeated,” he wrote later on X.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

She and director Cristina Costantini chronicled that fateful day in the short film ‘La Tierra del Valor,’ or ‘The Home of the Brave.’

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 2026

Brave Orchid was again startled at her sister’s denseness.

From "The Woman Warrior" by Maxine Hong Kingston

Related Words

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