dare
verb (used without object)
to have the necessary courage or boldness for something; be bold enough.
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dare
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Dare
DarenounVirginia 1587–?, daughter of Lost Colony settlers, the first child born in the Americas to English parents.
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DARE
DAREDictionary of American Regional English.
dare
1 American
[dair]
/ dɛər /
verb (used without object)
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dares,
present (3rd person singular)
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dare,
present (3rd person singular)
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dared,
past participle, past
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durst,
past participle, past (Archaic)
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daring
present participle
verb (used with object)
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dares,
present (3rd person singular)
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dare,
present (3rd person singular)
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dared,
past participle, past
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durst,
past participle, past (Archaic)
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daring
present participle
auxiliary verb
noun
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dares
plural
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a challenge or provocation posed to someone to test their boldness or courage.
I accepted the dare.
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an action proposed to someone as a challenge or test of boldness or courage: She knew it was going to be a humiliating dare.
Will he be able to complete the dare?
She knew it was going to be a humiliating dare.
verb phrase
idioms
Dare
2
American
[dair]
/ dɛər /
noun
DARE
3
American
dare
British
/ dɛə /
verb
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(tr) to challenge (a person to do something) as proof of courage
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(can take an infinitive with or without to) to be courageous enough to try (to do something)
she dares to dress differently from the others
you wouldn't dare!
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rare (tr) to oppose without fear; defy
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(it is) quite possible (that)
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probably: used as sentence substitute
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noun
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a challenge to do something as proof of courage
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something done in response to such a challenge
Usage
What does dare mean? While the word dare is used widely and variously for bold behavior, a dare popularly refers to a silly or risky challenge a person is compelled to do as part of children's games. What are some other forms of dare?double dareWhat are some other words related to dare?
- truth or dare
- game on
Synonym Usage
Dare, venture imply involvement in risks and dangers. Dare emphasizes the state of mind that makes one willing to meet danger: He dared to do what he knew was right. Venture emphasizes the act of doing something that involves risk: He ventured into deep water.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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daresimple
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daressimple
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have daredperfect
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have durstperfect
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has daredperfect
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has durstperfect
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am daringprogressive
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are daringprogressive
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is daringprogressive
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have been daringperfect progressive
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has been daringperfect progressive
Past
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daredsimple
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durstsimple
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had daredperfect
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had durstperfect
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was daringprogressive
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were daringprogressive
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had been daringperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of dare
First recorded before 900; Middle English dar (verb), Old English dear(r), 1st and 3rd person singular present indicative of durran; akin to Old High German gitarran
Explanation
When you challenge or provoke someone to try something risky, it's a dare. If you accept a dare, you're probably trying to prove how brave you are. When you challenge your friend to a dare, you dare him. You might, for example, dare your brother to jump off the garage into a pile of leaves. Another way to dare is to actually be brave: "I admire her so much, because she dares to stand up to bullies." The Old English root of dare is durran, "to brave danger, venture, or presume." If you say, "How dare you?" you're expressing outrage or indignation.
Vocabulary lists containing dare
David Crosby (1941–2023) Tribute List
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"Zlateh the Goat"
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Unit 4, Week 3
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
But even if they hadn’t fallen, I dare say that Apple’s focus on hardware over software would have been the right one.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 2, 2026
To ascribe to particular diets and exercise practices that micro-optimize your body is one thing; you may be putting yourself through trials the Jackass guys would never dare, but at least it’s your own body.
From Slate ● Jul. 31, 2026
“This sentence delivers on that promise to hold those accountable who dare to interfere or attack federal agents. Don’t do it.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026
The deadly strain has spread to a forested area where health workers, who are already coping with short supplies and local suspicions, dare not venture.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 16, 2026
I didn't dare move lest I wander off and go deeper into the swirling mist.
From "Black Star, Bright Dawn" by Scott O'Dell
A woman named Mary Dare instructed her mother to go in person to the Union general and plead on her behalf.
From Slate ● Jul. 27, 2026
Dare will serve 40% of his sentence in prison, the rest in the community on licence.
From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026
Shaun Ryder and Roses Gabor assisted on a raucous version of Dare!
From BBC ● Jun. 21, 2026
Mr. O’Hanlon is the program’s director of research and author of “To Dare Mighty Things: U.S. Defense Strategy Since the Revolution.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 21, 2026
I told her about the weird mortal girl, Rachel Elizabeth Dare, who seemed to be able to see right through the Mist.
From "The Titan's Curse" by Rick Riordan
County Executive Jim Kreuser thanked Beth for his commitment to programs that serve children in the community, including DARE, Boys and Girls Club and the Frank Neighborhood Project.
From Washington Times ● Jul. 27, 2020
The singer riffs on some of his biggest hits, including the Gorillaz' single DARE, telling commuters: "It's coming up, it's coming up, it's... Anchorage!"
From BBC ● Jun. 15, 2017
“Although language change is inevitable, it’s too bad to see some of our most colourful expressions going out of use,” said Joan Hall, former editor of DARE.
From The Guardian ● Sep. 5, 2016
DARE, as it’s familiarly known, contains records of words that no other dictionary in the world does, gathered over the course of decades by field workers going door-to-door in the United States.
From Time ● Apr. 6, 2015
"How could he DARE?" cried Lady Drew, becoming very awful.
From Tono Bungay by Wells, H. G. (Herbert George)
One former army officer, who defected to the opposition three years ago, told the BBC she only dares leave the room she rents in Mae Sot twice a month.
From BBC ● Jul. 30, 2026
A report last week by Yale University contains a surprising dose of self-examination that dares to agree with what many of its critics have been saying for years.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 19, 2026
So, Emily dares to eat a Big Arch—the whole thing—and the hosts talk about how this kind of PR cannot be bought.
From Slate ● Mar. 7, 2026
Here McDermott’s inspired staging demonstrated that Glass’ forgiving personal portrait of Walt Disney makes it the quintessential Hollywood opera that no one dares bring to squeamish Hollywood.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 5, 2026
If anyone dares to suggest otherwise, Mr. van D. can put up a good fight.
From "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank
Except, as every theater that has lately dared put on a show created by new, experimental or unknown artists knows, it can feel like an insurmountable task.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026
It looked like relief that all had gone according to plan, despite widespread protests ahead of the election, when – astonishingly – some protestors had dared raise slogans calling for him to go.
From BBC ● May 30, 2026
But pro-Soviet intellectuals ostracized him when he dared to speak honestly about life behind the Iron Curtain.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 8, 2026
"They gave a fitting response to those who dared to attack innocent Indians at Pahalgam. The entire nation salutes our forces for their valour," he said in a statement.
From Barron's ● May 7, 2026
Its frame was rust-free, and no dust had dared to settle on the hood.
From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda
Then the boat turned towards me, and stayed its pace, and floated slowly by within my hand’s reach, yet I durst not handle it.
From "The Two Towers" by J. R. R. Tolkien
His countenance was deadly pale, and he cast a glance of fury at the two men, but he durst not vent his anger either in words or actions there.
From I've Been Thinking; or, the Secret of Success by Roe, Azel Stevens
It was too dark for him to see his watch, and he durst not strike a light.
From Swift and Sure by Strang, Herbert
Still Edith was silent; for she durst not trust her voice with any reply.
From The Smuggler: (Vol's I-III) A Tale by James, G. P. R. (George Payne Rainsford)
He durst not strike a light to look at his watch, but surely there had been time to go and come and go again.
From Settlers and Scouts by Strang, Herbert
It always finds a way to reinvent itself — to become more daring, to fuse and bastardize.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2026
Plus, we look at new fronts erupting in the Iran war, and a daring mission to recover American POWs from the ocean floor.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 30, 2026
Jason's post, written alongside his brother Paul, said they will take comfort in "knowing that he lived life to the max. Knowing that in life it's either a daring adventure or nothing at all!"
From BBC ● Jul. 19, 2026
In 1985, the show held at the very same art museum caused a scandal for daring to bring fashion into the erudite ranks of a museum.
From Barron's ● Jul. 9, 2026
Helpless, Penelope stood like a statue, not daring to take a step lest she tumble off some unseen precipice.
From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
