bravery
AmericanSynonym Usage
See courage.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of bravery
First recorded in 1540–50; probably from Italian braveria; equivalent to brave + -ery
Compare meaning
How does bravery compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
Bravery is the admirable quality of being able to confront frightening things. It takes bravery for a knight to battle a dragon, but it also takes bravery for a shy child to walk into a new classroom. You can also call bravery courage or valor. Firefighters are often acknowledged for their bravery, but everyday people also act with bravery if they confront their fears. Even though you're scared when you jump out of the plane with your skydiving instructor, the fact that you're doing it at all takes real bravery. It also takes bravery to pet a friend's German shepherd, especially if you are afraid of dogs. The earliest meaning of bravery was closer to bravado: "daring, defiance, and boasting."
Vocabulary lists containing bravery
"Saying Yes" and "A Lion Hunt"
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Part 1 Vocabulary (Unit 5)
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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.
See Examples For:
Other congregations in China showed extraordinary bravery in coming to our aid.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026
“It is no surprise that during the moment of this terrible act, Eric was trying to save a community by preventing a situation that would have taken lives. This bravery cost him his own life.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 7, 2026
"We thank her for her honesty and her tremendous bravery."
From BBC ● Jun. 25, 2026
The charity's CEO Joanne Barnes said it is important to praise their bravery for engaging with the criminal justice process "despite the significant personal cost" it can bring.
From BBC ● Jun. 22, 2026
It was a demand, that look; a call to bravery.
From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell
By the end, Parkinson’s and his past braveries in the ring had rendered Ali near immobile and mute.
From New York Times ● Jun. 4, 2016
Following the high-kneed, fancy twirling majorettes, some 30 bands gave out, in the simple-hearted braveries of Western brass and the intricate Oriental din of bells, cymbals and gongs.
From Time Magazine Archive
To no avail does he protest his former braveries and services; the Queen scourges him with words.
From Time Magazine Archive
He knew most of the secrets, weaknesses, and the braveries of Salinas.
From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck
I would have thrown off all the braveries that minute; but just then came a message from Doña Orosia, bidding me hasten.
From Margaret Tudor A Romance of Old St. Augustine by Gilbert, W. B.
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.
