Dictionary.com

bravura

[ bruh-vyoor-uh, -voor-uh; Italian brah-voo-rah ]
/ brəˈvyʊər ə, -ˈvʊər ə; Italian brɑˈvu rɑ /
Save This Word!

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).
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?

Origin of bravura

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

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH bravura

bravery, bravado, bravura
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

British Dictionary definitions for bravura

bravura
/ (brəˈvjʊərə, -ˈvʊərə) /

noun
a display of boldness or daring
music
  1. brilliance of execution
  2. (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
FEEDBACK