bravo
Bravo (intj) means used to express approval or praise, especially for a performer. Example: “Bravo! That was the best performance of the season.”
How to use bravo
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA shout of praise for a good performance, or the phonetic-alphabet word for "B."
Word forms
bravoed past tense, Bravos plural, bravos singular, bravoes singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____! That was the best performance of the season.
Etymology
From Italian bravo, a doublet of brave.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for bravo
See all rhymes for bravo →Frequently asked questions
What does “bravo” mean?
The word “bravo” means used to express approval or praise, especially for a performer. In plain terms, a shout of praise for a good performance, or the phonetic-alphabet word for "B.".
How do you pronounce “bravo”?
“Bravo” is pronounced BRAH-voh (/ˈbɹɑvoʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “bravo” in a sentence?
Here is “bravo” used in a sentence: “Bravo! That was the best performance of the season.”
What part of speech is “bravo”?
Depending on how it is used, “bravo” can be an intj and a noun.
Where does the word “bravo” come from?
The word “bravo” comes from Italian. From Italian bravo, a doublet of brave.
Is “bravo” a common word?
“Bravo” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “bravo” have?
“Bravo” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: used to express approval or praise, especially for a performer.
Is "bravo" only used for men, with "brava" for women?
In Italian opera tradition, "bravo" is technically masculine and "brava" feminine, with "bravi" for groups. In everyday English, however, "bravo" is used as a general exclamation of approval regardless of who is being praised.
When is "bravo" used as the letter B rather than as praise?
"Bravo" represents the letter B in the NATO phonetic alphabet, used by pilots, the military, and radio operators to spell words clearly over noisy channels. In this context it has nothing to do with praise and is simply a code word.
Is saying "bravo" sarcastic or sincere?
"Bravo" is most often sincere, expressing genuine approval or praise for a performer or achievement. It can also be used sarcastically to mock a poor effort, with tone and context signaling which meaning is intended.
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