coward

¹

[kou-erd]

noun

1. a person who lacks courage in facing danger, difficulty, opposition, pain, etc.; a timid or easily intimidated person.

   Synonyms: milksop, recreant, dastard, poltroon, craven

adjective

1. lacking courage; very fearful or timid.

2. proceeding from or expressive of fear or timidity.

   a coward cry.

Coward

²

[kou-erd]

noun

1. Noel, 1899–1973, English playwright, author, actor, and composer.

Coward

¹

/ ˈkaʊəd /

noun

1. Sir Noël ( Pierce ). 1899–1973, English dramatist, actor, and composer, noted for his sophisticated comedies, which include Private Lives (1930) and Blithe Spirit (1941)

coward

²

/ ˈkaʊəd /

noun

1. a person who shrinks from or avoids danger, pain, or difficulty

Word History and Origins

Origin of Coward¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Old French couard-, couart “cowardly,” from coue “tail” (from Latin cauda, cōda ) + -art -ard

Word History and Origins

Origin of Coward¹

C13: from Old French cuard, from coue tail, from Latin cauda; perhaps suggestive of a frightened animal with its tail between its legs

Example Sentences

Decades ago, people who buckled their seat belts were thought to be signaling that they were cowards, afraid of getting in a crash.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In response, the X owner called the Liberal Democrat leader a "craven coward".

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As Curry puts it, leaders at white-shoe law firms, elite universities and major foundations have repeatedly surrendered without a shot, revealing themselves as “traitors, cowards, rank opportunists or simply inept.”

Read more on Salon

"The Hamas preacher at Friday prayers accused anyone leaving Gaza City of being a coward running from the battlefield," he said.

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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has called for the "coward" inside the club who briefed a media report against him to leave the Scottish champions.

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Related Words

• wimp