bold
BOHLD
Bold (adj) means willing to take risks; confident and daring. Example: “It takes a bold person to speak up in a crowded meeting.”
adj
1
Willing to take risks; confident and daring.
"It takes a bold person to speak up in a crowded meeting."
"It was a bold move to quit her job without another lined up."
"The general made a bold decision to attack at dawn."
2
Strong and eye-catching in appearance.
"The shop painted its front door a bold red."
"She wore a bold patterned scarf that everyone noticed."
"The poster used bold colours to grab attention."
3
Describing a heavier, thicker style of print text.
"Important dates appear in bold on the second page of the leaflet."
"The titles in this book are set in bold type."
"The keywords are printed in bold so you can spot them quickly."
verb
1
To make text appear in the thicker, bold style.
"Remember to bold the key terms before you print the notes."
"He bolded the deadline in his email so nobody would miss it."
"She bolded the heading to make it stand out."
How to use bold
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither confident and daring, or (for text) printed in a thicker, darker style.
Common pairings
bold move
bold colours
bold text
bold statement
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Word forms
- Plural
- bolds
- Third person singular
- bolds
- Past tense
- bolded
- Comparative
- bolder, more bold
- Superlative
- boldest, most bold
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
It takes a _____ person to speak up in a crowded meeting.
Etymology
From Old English bald/beald, meaning brave or confident, going back to a very old Germanic root shared with Dutch boud and Swedish båld.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for bold
See all rhymes for bold →Frequently asked questions
What does “bold” mean?
The word “bold” means willing to take risks; confident and daring. In plain terms, either confident and daring, or (for text) printed in a thicker, darker style.
How do you pronounce “bold”?
“Bold” is pronounced BOHLD (/boʊld/ in IPA).
How do you use “bold” in a sentence?
Here is “bold” used in a sentence: “It was a bold move to quit her job without another lined up.”
What is another word for “bold”?
Words with a similar meaning to “bold” include embolden.
What part of speech is “bold”?
Depending on how it is used, “bold” can be an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “bold” come from?
The word “bold” comes from Old English. From Old English bald/beald, meaning brave or confident, going back to a very old Germanic root shared with Dutch boud and Swedish båld.
Is “bold” a common word?
“Bold” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “bold” have?
“Bold” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: willing to take risks; confident and daring.
What is the difference between "bold" and "brave"?
"Brave" emphasizes facing danger or fear with courage, while "bold" stresses confidence and a willingness to take risks, sometimes to the point of being daring or forward. A brave act meets danger, while a bold one shows nerve and initiative.
What is the difference between "bold" and "rude"?
Being "bold" means being confident and daring, which is usually viewed positively, while "rude" means lacking manners or being offensive. A bold remark shows nerve, whereas a rude one shows disrespect.
When should you use "bold" instead of "daring"?
Use "bold" for general confidence and a readiness to take risks, and "daring" when you want to stress boldness in the face of real danger or convention. "Daring" carries a slightly stronger sense of pushing limits.
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