brave [breyv] SynonymsExamplesWord Origin adjective, brav·er, brav·est.
- possessing or exhibiting courage or courageous endurance.
- making a fine appearance.
- Archaic. excellent; fine; admirable.
noun
- a brave person.
- a warrior, especially among North American Indian tribes.
- Obsolete.
- a bully.
- a boast or challenge.
verb (used with object), braved, brav·ing.
- to meet or face courageously: to brave misfortunes.
- to defy; challenge; dare.
- Obsolete. to make splendid.
verb (used without object), braved, brav·ing.
- Obsolete. to boast; brag.
Origin of brave 1475–85; Middle French Spanish bravo (> Italian) Vulgar Latin *brabus for Latin barbarus barbarous Related formsbrave·ly, adverbbrave·ness, nouno·ver·brave, adjectiveo·ver·brave·ly, adverbo·ver·brave·ness, nounqua·si-brave, adjectivequa·si-brave·ly, adverbsu·per·brave, adjectivesu·per·brave·ly, adverbsu·per·brave·ness, nounun·brave, adjectiveun·brave·ly, adverbun·brave·ness, nounun·braved, adjectiveSynonyms for brave 1. bold, intrepid, daring, dauntless, heroic. Synonym study 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.Antonyms for brave 1. cowardly. Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019 Related Words for braved gallant, foolhardy, daring, confident, fearless, spunky, audacious, stout, adventurous, spirited, gutsy, dashing, reckless, valiant, resolute, strong, courageous, heroic, withstand, defy Examples from the Web for braved Contemporary Examples of braved
Like other maskers who have braved the outdoors, he enjoys a turn in the spotlight.
The Secret World of Men Who Dress Like Dolls
Nina Strochlic
January 7, 2014
Instead, the politician who once braved a crowded Mumbai train hunkered down at home.
How Rahul Gandhi Blew the Indian Rape Crisis
Dilip D’Souza
January 19, 2013
Historical Examples of braved
There was danger in this, but the danger must be braved, for time was slipping away.
The Historical Nights’ Entertainment
Rafael Sabatini
But he braved the storm, smiling upon them his ineffable contempt.
Rafael Sabatini
I could have braved any dangers, or met any perils, in the career of a missionary!
Charles James Lever
There was a bishop who braved the Government in the days of the volunteers.
Sir Brook Fossbrooke, Volume II.
Charles James Lever
After all, he was a stanch friend, and he braved no common dangers in his pursuit.
Charles James Lever
British Dictionary definitions for braved brave adjective
-
- having or displaying courage, resolution, or daring; not cowardly or timid
- (as collective noun preceded by the)the brave
- fine; splendida brave sight; a brave attempt
- archaic excellent or admirable
noun
- a warrior of a Native American tribe
- an obsolete word for bully 1
verb (tr)
- to dare or defyto brave the odds
- to confront with resolution or courageto brave the storm
- obsolete to make splendid, esp in dress
Derived Formsbravely, adverbbraveness, nounbravery, nounWord Origin for brave C15: from French, from Italian bravo courageous, wild, perhaps ultimately from Latin barbarus barbarous 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 Word Origin and History for braved brave adj.
late 15c., from Middle French brave, “splendid, valiant,” from Italian bravo “brave, bold,” originally “wild, savage,” possibly from Medieval Latin bravus “cutthroat, villain,” from Latin pravus “crooked, depraved;” a less likely etymology being from Latin barbarus (see barbarous). A Celtic origin (Irish breagh, Cornish bray) also has been suggested.
Old English words for this, some with overtones of “rashness,” included modig (now “moody”), beald (“bold”), cene (“keen”), dyrstig (“daring”). Brave new world is from the title of Aldous Huxley’s 1932 satirical utopian novel; he lifted the phrase from Shakespeare (“Tempest” v.i.183).
brave v.
“to face with bravery,” 1776, from French braver, from brave (see brave (adj.)). Related: Braved; braving.
brave n.
“North American Indian warrior,” c.1600, from brave (adj.), and cf. bravo.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper