First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1brave
adjective \ˈbrāv\
: feeling or showing no fear : not afraid
brav·erbrav·est
Full Definition of BRAVE
1
: having or showing courage <a brave soldier> <a brave smile>
2
: making a fine show : colorful <brave banners flying in the wind>
See brave defined for English-language learners
See brave defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of BRAVE
Middle French, from Old Italian & Old Spanish bravo courageous, wild, probably from Latin barbarus barbarous
Related to BRAVE
- Synonyms
- bold, courageous, dauntless, doughty, fearless, gallant, greathearted, gutsy, gutty, heroic (also heroical), intrepid, lionhearted, manful, stalwart, stout, stouthearted, undauntable, undaunted, valiant, valorous
- Antonyms
- chicken, chickenhearted, chicken-livered, coward, cowardly, craven, dastardly, fainthearted, fearful, gutless, lily-livered, milk-livered [archaic], nerveless, poltroon, poor-spirited, pusillanimous, spineless, spiritless, timorous, uncourageous, ungallant, unheroic, weakhearted, yellow
2brave
verb
: to face or deal with (something dangerous or unpleasant)
bravedbrav·ing
Full Definition of BRAVE
transitive verb
1
: to face or endure with courage
2
obsolete : to make showy
intransitive verb
archaic : to show courage : to make a brave show
— brav·er noun
See brave defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of BRAVE
1546
3brave
noun
: a Native American warrior
Full Definition of BRAVE
1
archaic : bravado
2
: one who is brave; specifically : an American Indian warrior
See brave defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of BRAVE
1590
BRAVE Defined for Kids
1brave
adjective \ˈbrāv\
brav·erbrav·est
Definition of BRAVE for Kids
: feeling or showing no fear
— brave·ly adverb
Synonym Discussion of BRAVE
brave, courageous, and bold mean showing no fear. brave is used of a person who has or shows no fear when faced with danger or difficulty. <The brave crew tried to save the ship.> courageous is used of a person who is always prepared to meet danger or difficulty. <The early astronauts were courageous in facing the dangers of space travel.> bold is used of a person who welcomes dangerous situations. <The bold explorers went in search of adventure.>
2brave
verb
bravedbrav·ing
Definition of BRAVE for Kids
: to face or handle without fear
3brave
noun
Definition of BRAVE for Kids
: an American Indian warrior
Learn More About BRAVE
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: braveheartedPrevious Word in the Dictionary: Bravais latticeAll Words Near: brave
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up brave? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).