bravura

[bruh-vyoo r-uh, -voo r-uh; Italian brah-voo-rah]

noun, plural bra·vu·ras, Italian bra·vu·re [brah-voo-re] /brɑˈvu rɛ/.

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

a display of daring; brilliant performance.

adjective

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

Origin of bravura

1780–90; < Italian: spirit, dash. See brave, -ure

Can be confusedbravery bravado bravura

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for bravure

array, fearlessness, spunk, grit, daring, endurance, tenacity, audacity, heroism, determination, firmness, prowess, valor, fortitude, spirit, bravery, gallantry, exhibit, parade, demonstration

British Dictionary definitions for bravure

bravura

noun

a display of boldness or daring

music

brilliance of execution
(as modifier)a bravura passage

Word Origin for bravura

C18: from Italian: spirit, courage, from bravare to show off, see bravado

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for bravure

bravura

1788, "piece of music requiring great skill," from Italian bravura "bravery, spirit" (see brave (adj.)). Sense of "display of brilliancy, dash" is from 1813.