courage
noun
SYNONYMS FOR courage
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Idioms for courage
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VOCAB BUILDER
What does courage mean?
Courage is the quality of being ready and willing to face negative situations involving danger or pain.
A close synonym is bravery. Showing courage is often thought of as facing such situations without fear, but it also involves facing them despite fear. In other words, someone who has courage might not be fearless, but they face the dangerous, difficult, or frightening situation anyway.
The adjective courageous means having, showing, or done with courage. It can be used to describe people who have courage, or the actions of such people when they face negative situations resolutely. A close synonym is brave.
Example: We should all show our appreciation for the courage of our first responders, who face danger every day but still, somehow, decide to show up and put the wellbeing of other people before their own safety.
Where does courage come from?
The first records of the word courage come from the 1200s. It comes from the Old French corage, from cuer, meaning “heart” (this ultimately derives from the Latin cor, meaning “heart”).
The heart is traditionally depicted as the center of human emotion, and the word heart is commonly used in a figurative way to refer to courage or bravery—someone who has courage is said to have a lot of heart. Being courageous means that even when a situation is dangerous or scary—when it makes your heart start beating very fast—you’re still willing to face it. But courage doesn’t always involve facing danger. Something as simple as telling the truth when it will result in negative consequences can be courageous.
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What are some other forms related to courage?
- courageous (adjective)
- courageously (adverb)
What are some synonyms for courage?
What are some words that share a root or word element with courage?
What are some words that often get used in discussing courage?
How is courage used in real life?
Courage is always used positively. It’s associated with heroic people and actions—like firefighters running into burning buildings to save people—but it can be used in many different situations.
Bravery is having the courage to confront something that is difficult & dangerous.
Right now, countless medical professionals are taking care of people suffering from coronavirus.
Their bravery in the face of adversity is inspirational. Please thank them.
May God protect them.
— Dr. Craig Considine (@CraigCons) March 16, 2020
D-Day … I can't imagine the courage that took. Thank you for saving the world from fascism.
— Eric Berger (@SciGuySpace) June 6, 2019
“The truth is inside of us, and it’s wonderful when we have the courage to tell it.” pic.twitter.com/15e6rNhUCJ
— MisterRogersQuotes (@MisterRogersSay) October 2, 2020
Try using courage!
Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of courage?
A. bravery
B. resoluteness
C. timidity
D. valor