bravado

American  

[bruh-vah-doh] / brəˈvɑ doʊ /

noun

• bravadoes,
  plural
• bravados
  plural

1. 

   a pretentious, swaggering display of courage.

   Synonyms:

   braggadocio, bombast, bluster, brag

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bravado British  

/ brəˈvɑːdəʊ /

noun

1. vaunted display of courage or self-confidence; swagger

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Synonym Usage

See courage.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• overbravado
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• bravadoes
  plural
• bravados
  plural

Etymology

Origin of bravado

First recorded in 1575–85; from Spanish bravada (now bravata, from Italian ), equivalent to brav(o) “brave” + -ada noun suffix; see origin at brave, -ade ¹

Explanation

If you act with bravado, you are making a bold showy statement. Picture a cowboy bursting through saloon doors in an old western, and you can picture bravado. The noun bravado is derived from the French and Italian words meaning "bragging and boasting," and it is related to the word bravo. Today, the word means an almost-over-the-top amount of courage, but it can also be used (often with the word false) to mean a false show of bravery: "It was her first day in the classroom and she was almost shaking with fear, but with false bravado — she took a deep breath and turned to face her students — 20 kindergartners."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

bravado bravadoes bravados

But the DNA of the Barbary wars exists throughout American military history, a cocktail of entitlement, bravado and hypocrisy flavored with desperate violence.

From Salon ● Jul. 4, 2026

SEATTLE—Despite the American bravado heading into its home World Cup, there was always an unspoken fear that everything might suddenly go sideways for the U.S. national team.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 19, 2026

Buzz’s “To infinity and beyond” catchphrase connotes adventure and exploration, and the character’s journey from self-serious bravado to emotional vulnerability has given him a superpower far greater than the ability to fly.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 17, 2026

“We anticipate more of these bouts of bravado to dictate the region for a while as both sides claim they are winning and neither is willing to be seen as disadvantaged,” he said.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 1, 2026

“I’ll be a hundred and one,” he said with bravado.

From "Dead End in Norvelt" by Jack Gantos

It was easy to see that these mutual bravadoes were intended only to dazzle the populace, and that the two kings were too wise to think of executing their pretended purpose.

From The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.I., Part B. From Henry III. to Richard III. by David Hume

His expressed contempt and defiance of the world, reminds me of the bravadoes of children, who, afraid of darkness, make a noise to give themselves courage to support what they dread.

From The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction Volume 20, No. 565, September 8, 1832 by Various

But let us still resist him; for notwithstanding all his bravadoes, he promoteth the fool, and none else.

From Works of John Bunyan — Volume 03 by John Bunyan

These bravadoes caused great irritation, but still the Spanish warriors were restrained by the prohibition of the King.

From The Great Events by Famous Historians, Volume 08 The Later Renaissance: from Gutenberg to the Reformation by Charles F. (Charles Francis) Horne

I won't have any of those little proceedings, of those little bravadoes, and of those great risks, my dear fellow!

From The Children of Alsace Les Oberl?s by Ren? Bazin

Mimi began to laugh and to utter bravados.

From Bohemians of the Latin Quarter by Henry Murger

Next to being raided by the sheriff of an adjacent county, having a river prophet come on board is the greatest excitement and the smartest amusement of the bravados down the river.

From The River Prophet by Ralph P. (Ralph Pallen) Coleman

She makes sorties and attacks, she endeavours to hide her weakness by her bravados, and when she replies most disdainfully to a summons to capitulate, is perhaps on the eve of surrender.

From At Agincourt by G. A. (George Alfred) Henty

They made many bravados, daily shooting off forty, fifty, or sixty pieces of ordnance at Nero and Puloway, thinking to frighten us.

From A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels — Volume 09 Arranged in Systematic Order: Forming a Complete History of the Origin and Progress of Navigation, Discovery, and Commerce, by Sea and Land, from the Earliest Ages to the Present Time by Robert Kerr

He must use his poetic powers as wonders attesting the purpose for which he speaks—not as mere bravados of ostentatious power.

From Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Volume 1, No. 3, August, 1850. by Various

Related Words

• bluster