brave

[ breyv ]
See synonyms for: bravebravestbravesbraving on Thesaurus.com

adjective,brav·er, brav·est.
  1. possessing or exhibiting courage or courageous endurance.

  2. making a fine appearance.

  1. Archaic. excellent; fine; admirable.

noun
  1. the brave. (used with a plural verb) courageous people, collectively: the land of the free and the home of the brave.

  2. Sometimes Offensive. a warrior, especially among North American Indian tribes.

  1. Obsolete.

    • a bully.

    • a boast or challenge.

verb (used with object),braved, brav·ing.
  1. to meet or face courageously: to brave misfortunes.

  1. Obsolete. to make splendid.

verb (used without object),braved, brav·ing.
  1. Obsolete. to boast; brag.

Origin of brave

1
First recorded in 1475–85; from Middle French, from Spanish bravo, either from Italian or directly from unattested Vulgar Latin brabus for Latin barbarus barbarous

synonym study For brave

1. Brave, courageous, valiant, fearless, gallant refer to confident bearing in the face of difficulties or dangers. Brave is the most comprehensive: it is especially used of that confident fortitude or daring that actively faces and endures anything threatening. Courageous implies a higher or nobler kind of bravery, especially as resulting from an inborn quality of mind or spirit that faces or endures perils or difficulties without fear and even with enthusiasm. Valiant implies a correspondence between an inner courageousness and external deeds, particularly of physical strength or endurance. Fearless implies unflinching spirit and coolness in the face of danger. Gallant implies a chivalrous, impetuous, or dashing bravery.

usage note For brave

See powwow.

Other words for brave

Opposites for brave

Other words from brave

  • brave·ly, adverb
  • brave·ness, noun
  • o·ver·brave, adjective
  • o·ver·brave·ly, adverb
  • o·ver·brave·ness, noun
  • qua·si-brave, adjective
  • qua·si-brave·ly, adverb
  • su·per·brave, adjective
  • su·per·brave·ly, adverb
  • su·per·brave·ness, noun
  • un·brave, adjective
  • un·brave·ly, adverb
  • un·brave·ness, noun
  • un·braved, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use brave in a sentence

  • The Emperor complimented these brave men and said that of all the hundred and thirty thousand men engaged they were the bravest.

    Napoleon's Marshals | R. P. Dunn-Pattison
  • He was everywhere regarded as among the bravest and most reliable officers in Price's army.

  • It seemed odd at the moment to think of this man as one of the bravest and most dashing cavalry officers in Europe.

    The Weight of the Crown | Fred M. White
  • According to Froissart, he was 'esteemed the bravest and most enterprising knight in the two kingdoms.'

    King Robert the Bruce | A. F. Murison
  • Then Greybeard would tell them that the strongest and bravest hunters were those who could strike the gentlest blows.

    The Later Cave-Men | Katharine Elizabeth Dopp

British Dictionary definitions for brave

brave

/ (breɪv) /


adjective
    • having or displaying courage, resolution, or daring; not cowardly or timid

    • (as collective noun preceded by the): the brave

  1. fine; splendid: a brave sight; a brave attempt

  1. archaic excellent or admirable

noun
  1. a warrior of a Native American tribe

  2. an obsolete word for bully 1

verb(tr)
  1. to dare or defy: to brave the odds

  2. to confront with resolution or courage: to brave the storm

  1. obsolete to make splendid, esp in dress

Origin of brave

1
C15: from French, from Italian bravo courageous, wild, perhaps ultimately from Latin barbarus barbarous

Derived forms of brave

  • bravely, adverb
  • braveness, noun
  • bravery, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012