brave
brayv
Brave (adj) means willing to face danger, pain, or difficulty without giving in to fear. Example: “It was brave of her to speak up in front of the whole board.”
adj
1
Willing to face danger, pain, or difficulty without giving in to fear.
"It was brave of her to speak up in front of the whole board."
"The firefighters were praised for their brave rescue."
"The brave little boy walked into the dark cellar to fetch his ball."
verb
1
To face or endure something difficult or dangerous with courage.
"They braved the storm to get the animals to safety."
"Hikers braved freezing rain to reach the summit before nightfall."
"I braved the crowds at the market to buy fresh bread."
How to use brave
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishShowing courage in the face of fear, danger, or difficulty.
Common pairings
brave enough
brave new world
brave the elements
brave face
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Word forms
- Plural
- braves
- Third person singular
- braves
- Past tense
- braved
- Comparative
- braver, more brave
- Superlative
- bravest, most brave
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
It was _____ of her to speak up in front of the whole board.
Etymology
From Italian bravo, of uncertain deeper origin — a doublet of the English word "bravo."
Synonyms
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weather
endure
adventurous
mettlesome
aweless
bad
bold
brass-balled
chivalrous
courageous
daredevil
daring
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for brave
See all rhymes for brave →Frequently asked questions
What does “brave” mean?
The word “brave” means willing to face danger, pain, or difficulty without giving in to fear. In plain terms, showing courage in the face of fear, danger, or difficulty.
How do you pronounce “brave”?
“Brave” is pronounced brayv (/bɹeɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “brave” in a sentence?
Here is “brave” used in a sentence: “It was brave of her to speak up in front of the whole board.”
What is another word for “brave”?
Words with a similar meaning to “brave” include adventurous, mettlesome, aweless, bad, bold and brass-balled.
What is the opposite of “brave”?
The opposite of “brave” — its antonyms — are afraid, cowardly, cautious, fearful and frightened.
What part of speech is “brave”?
Depending on how it is used, “brave” can be an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “brave” come from?
The word “brave” comes from Italian. From Italian bravo, of uncertain deeper origin — a doublet of the English word "bravo.".
Is “brave” a common word?
“Brave” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between "brave" and "courageous"?
Both describe facing danger or difficulty, but "brave" is the broader, more everyday word and often suggests facing immediate physical danger. "Courageous" tends to emphasise deliberate moral strength, such as standing up for a principle despite the cost.
What is the difference between "brave" and "bold"?
"Brave" means willing to face fear, danger, or pain, while "bold" emphasises confidence and a readiness to take risks. A bold person may not feel fear at all, whereas a brave person overcomes it.
How is "brave" used as a verb?
As a verb, "brave" means to face or endure something difficult or dangerous with courage, as in "they braved the storm" or "she braved the crowds." It is usually followed directly by the challenge being faced.
What is the difference between "brave" and "fearless"?
A brave person feels fear but acts in spite of it, while a fearless person feels little or no fear in the first place. "Brave" emphasises courage under pressure, whereas "fearless" emphasises the absence of fear.
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