dare
deh-uh
Dare (verb) means to have the courage or nerve to do something. Example: “She didn't dare tell her boss the truth.”
verb
1
To have the courage or nerve to do something.
"She didn't dare tell her boss the truth."
"Nobody dared interrupt the meeting."
"How dare you speak to me like that in front of everyone?"
2
To challenge someone to do something risky or difficult, as proof of courage.
"His friends dared him to jump off the high board."
"I dare you to eat the whole chilli without drinking any water."
"She dared her little brother to touch the cold, slimy frog."
noun
1
A challenge to do something that requires courage.
"Nobody believed she would jump in the cold lake, but she took the dare."
"My brother never turns down a dare, however silly it sounds."
"He climbed onto the roof on a dare."
How to use dare
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHaving the nerve to do something, or challenging someone else to.
Common mistake
As a challenge verb, "dare" takes "to" optionally: "I dare you to jump" and "I dare you jump" are both heard, but "dare you to jump" is the safer standard form.
Common pairings
dare to say
take a dare
dare someone to do something
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Word forms
- Plural
- dares
- Third person singular
- dares
- Past tense
- dared, durst
- Archaic forms
- dast
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She didn't _____ tell her boss the truth.
Etymology
From Old English durran ("to dare"), a very old Germanic verb related to the idea of being bold enough to face something.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for dare
See all rhymes for dare →Frequently asked questions
What does “dare” mean?
The word “dare” means to have the courage or nerve to do something. In plain terms, having the nerve to do something, or challenging someone else to.
How do you pronounce “dare”?
“Dare” is pronounced deh-uh (/dɛ(ə)ɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “dare” in a sentence?
Here is “dare” used in a sentence: “She didn't dare tell her boss the truth.”
What part of speech is “dare”?
Depending on how it is used, “dare” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “dare” come from?
The word “dare” comes from Old English. From Old English durran ("to dare"), a very old Germanic verb related to the idea of being bold enough to face something.
Is “dare” a common word?
“Dare” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “dare” have?
“Dare” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to have the courage or nerve to do something.
What is the difference between 'dare' and 'challenge'?
To 'dare' someone specifically means to challenge them to do something risky as a test of their courage, as in 'I dare you to jump.' A 'challenge' is broader and can invite someone to compete or attempt any difficult task, not only one that proves bravery.
Is 'dare' followed by 'to' or a bare infinitive?
'Dare' can be followed either by a full infinitive with 'to' or by a bare infinitive, and both are correct. You say 'I dare you to try it' with 'to,' but in the fixed phrase 'How dare you speak to me like that,' the bare infinitive is used without 'to.'
Can 'dare' be used as a modal verb?
Yes, 'dare' can act as a modal verb, especially in questions and negatives, as in 'I dare not ask' or 'How dare he.' In these uses it does not take 'to' and does not add an '-s' in the third person.
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