noun
courage
KUH-rihj
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."
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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Common pairings
have the courage to
muster up courage
moral courage
take courage
Word Forms
couraged past tense, courages plural, courages singular
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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.