courage
KUH-rihj
Courage (noun) means the ability to face danger, pain, or difficulty without being overcome by fear. Example: “It took real courage for her to speak up in front of the whole company.”
noun
1
The ability to face danger, pain, or difficulty without being overcome by fear.
"It took real courage for her to speak up in front of the whole company."
"The firefighters showed incredible courage rescuing people from the burning building."
"Telling the truth when everyone disagrees takes a lot of courage."
"He plucked up the courage to tell her how he felt."
How to use courage
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBeing brave enough to do something scary or difficult.
Memory tip
Courage isn't the absence of fear — it's doing the right thing despite being afraid.
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Easily confused with
Common pairings
have the courage to
muster up courage
moral courage
take courage
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Word forms
- Plural
- courages
- Third person singular
- courages
- Past tense
- couraged
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
It took real _____ for her to speak up in front of the whole company.
Etymology
From Old French corage, ultimately from Latin cor meaning "heart" — the same root behind "cardiac." The idea is that bravery comes from the heart.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for courage
See all rhymes for courage →Frequently asked questions
What does “courage” mean?
The word “courage” means the ability to face danger, pain, or difficulty without being overcome by fear. In plain terms, being brave enough to do something scary or difficult.
How do you pronounce “courage”?
“Courage” is pronounced KUH-rihj (/ˈkʌ.ɹɪd͡ʒ/ in IPA).
How do you use “courage” in a sentence?
Here is “courage” used in a sentence: “It took real courage for her to speak up in front of the whole company.”
What is another word for “courage”?
Words with a similar meaning to “courage” include audacity, balls, bield, boldhead, boldness and bravehood.
What is the opposite of “courage”?
The opposite of “courage” — its antonyms — is cowardice.
What part of speech is “courage”?
“Courage” is a noun.
Where does the word “courage” come from?
The word “courage” comes from Latin. From Old French corage, ultimately from Latin cor meaning "heart" — the same root behind "cardiac." The idea is that bravery comes from the heart.
Is “courage” a common word?
“Courage” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between "courage" and "bravery"?
The two are close, but "courage" often stresses the inner strength to face fear, danger, or hardship, including moral or emotional challenges. "Bravery" more often describes the outward, visible show of fearlessness in the face of physical danger.
What is the difference between "courage" and "confidence"?
"Courage" is the ability to face danger, pain, or difficulty despite fear. "Confidence" is a feeling of self-assurance and belief in one's abilities, which does not require any danger or fear to be present.
What is the difference between "courage" and "recklessness"?
"Courage" means facing danger while aware of the risk and choosing to act anyway. "Recklessness" means acting without proper regard for danger or consequences, so it lacks the judgement that true courage involves.
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