noun
coward
KOW-uhd
noun
1
A person who lacks courage, especially someone who avoids danger or difficulty out of fear.
"Only a coward would abandon his friends in a crisis."
"She called him a coward for refusing to admit his mistake."
How to Use Coward
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who is afraid to face danger, pain, or difficulty.
Common mistake
Not related to "cower" (to crouch in fear) even though they look alike — different origins entirely.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
act like a coward
call someone a coward
moral coward
Word Forms
more coward comparative, cowarded past tense, cowards plural, cowards singular, most coward superlative
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Only a _____ would abandon his friends in a crisis.
Etymology
From Old French coart, built from coue ("tail"), likely picturing an animal fleeing with its tail between its legs — unrelated to "cower," despite the similar spelling.