cowardly
KOW-uhd-lee
Cowardly (adjective) means lacking courage; showing fear when bravery is called for. Example: “It was a cowardly attack on an unarmed man.”
adjective
1
Lacking courage; showing fear when bravery is called for.
"It was a cowardly attack on an unarmed man."
"He felt cowardly for not speaking up."
How to use cowardly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBehaving in a fearful, gutless way.
Common pairings
cowardly act
cowardly attack
cowardly behavior
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Word forms
- Comparative
- cowardlier, more cowardly
- Superlative
- cowardliest, most cowardly
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
It was a _____ attack on an unarmed man.
Etymology
From Middle English *cowardly (adjective) and cowardly (adverb), equivalent to coward + -ly. Displaced native Old English earg.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for cowardly
See all rhymes for cowardly →Frequently asked questions
What does “cowardly” mean?
The word “cowardly” means lacking courage; showing fear when bravery is called for. In plain terms, behaving in a fearful, gutless way.
How do you pronounce “cowardly”?
“Cowardly” is pronounced KOW-uhd-lee (/ˈkaʊədli/ in IPA).
How do you use “cowardly” in a sentence?
Here is “cowardly” used in a sentence: “It was a cowardly attack on an unarmed man.”
What is the opposite of “cowardly”?
The opposite of “cowardly” — its antonyms — is brave.
What part of speech is “cowardly”?
“Cowardly” is an adjective.
Is “cowardly” a common word?
“Cowardly” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
