bravura

American  

[bruh-vyoor-uh, -voor-uh, brah-voo-rah] / brəˈvjʊər ə, -ˈvʊər ə, brɑˈvu rɑ /

noun

• bravuras,
  plural
• bravure
  plural

1. Music. a florid passage or piece requiring great skill and spirit in the performer.

2. a display of daring; brilliant performance.

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adjective

1. Music. spirited; florid; brilliant (applied chiefly to vocal but occasionally to instrumental compositions).

bravura British  

/ -ˈvʊərə, brəˈvjʊərə /

noun

1. a display of boldness or daring

2. music

   1. brilliance of execution

   2. ( as modifier )

      a bravura passage

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• bravuras
  plural
• bravure
  plural

Etymology

Origin of bravura

First recorded in 1780–90; from Italian: literally, “spirit, dash”; see brave, -ure

Explanation

When a dancer spins flawlessly through an incredibly challenging routine, their performance is pure bravura, showcasing dazzling skill and bold confidence. Bravura is a noun that refers to a show of exceptional talent or daring, often in the arts. The term comes from Italian, meaning "bravery" or "spirit." It's commonly used to describe performances in music, theater, or dance that are not only technically impressive but also delivered with extraordinary confidence and style. Bravura can also apply to any act or feat that is executed with exceptional skill and daring, making it a celebration of human talent and boldness.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

bravura bravuras

It's a bravura performance that showcases her facility with melody and arrangement - and she essentially recreates it live on stage at the O2.

From BBC ● Aug. 16, 2026

But his bravura weakened as the conversation continued, and he spoke of his lost dream of being a surgeon, thwarted because his family could not afford school fees.

From Barron's ● Jul. 13, 2026

This year’s American Music Honors arrives on the eve of the bravura grand opening of the Center’s spacious new home, which will begin welcoming visitors in June.

From Salon ● Apr. 20, 2026

Mr. Wooldridge gives us a bravura performance of summary and synthesis in his telling of the history and substance of liberalism.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 10, 2026

A marvel, really, the ease with which Dick negotiated changes of mood; in a trice, all trace of meanness, of sullen bravura, had evaporated.

From "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote

For the Dinkey-Bird's bravuras And staccatos are so sweet— His roulades, appoggiaturas, And robustos so complete, That the youth of every nation— Be they near or far away— Have especial delectation In that gladsome roundelay.

From Love-Songs of Childhood by Eugene Field

Those simple airs were more congenial to the depressed spirits of the whole assemblage than the most showy bravuras; and, sung by those handsome creatures—for beauty adds a charm to everything—retained me spell-bound.

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 54, No. 334, August 1843 by Various

I have never cultivated any but the classical style—operas, you know, bravuras and arias, and all that, you know.

From Jessamine A Novel by Marion Harland

The midnight bravuras at the pianos mixed wildly in my broken dreams.

From The English in the West Indies or, The Bow of Ulysses by James Anthony Froude

I beg Tertullian's pardon; but among his many bravuras, he says something about St. Paul's autograph.

From A Plain Introduction to the Criticism of the New Testament, Vol. II. by Frederick Henry Ambrose Scrivener

Related Words

• audacity
• bravery
• daring
• determination
• endurance
• fearlessness
• firmness
• fortitude
• gallantry
• grit
• heroism
• prowess
• spirit
• spunk
• tenacity
• valor