First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
craven
adjective cra·ven \ˈkrā-vən\
: having or showing a complete lack of courage : very cowardly
Full Definition of CRAVEN
1
archaic : defeated, vanquished
2
: lacking the least bit of courage : contemptibly fainthearted
— craven noun
— cra·ven·ly adverb
— cra·ven·ness \-vən-nəs\ noun
See craven defined for English-language learners
See craven defined for kids
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Origin of CRAVEN
Middle English cravant
Related to CRAVEN
- Synonyms
- chicken, chickenhearted, chicken-livered, cowardly, dastardly, gutless, lily-livered, milk-livered [archaic], poltroon, pusillanimous, recreant, spineless, unheroic, yellow
- Antonyms
- brave, courageous, daring, dauntless, doughty, fearless, gallant, greathearted, gutsy, hardy, heroic (also heroical), intrepid, lionhearted, stalwart, stout, stouthearted, valiant, valorous
Synonym Discussion of CRAVEN
cowardly, pusillanimous, craven, dastardly mean having or showing a lack of courage. cowardly implies a weak or ignoble lack of courage <a cowardly failure to stand up for principle>. pusillanimous suggests a contemptible lack of courage <the pusillanimous fear of a future full of possibility>. craven suggests extreme defeatism and complete lack of resistance <secretly despised her own craven yes-men>. dastardly often implies behavior that is both cowardly and treacherous or skulking or outrageous <a dastardly attack on unarmed civilians>.
CRAVEN Defined for Kids
craven
adjective cra·ven \ˈkrā-vən\
Definition of CRAVEN for Kids
: cowardly
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