brave
Pluralbraves
- 1Willing to face something hard or scary even when you feel afraid.
Like standing your ground when something scary is right in front of you.
The brave firefighter ran into the burning house to save the dog.
It was brave of her to speak up in front of the whole class.
UsageSay it was brave of you to do it. The forms are braver and bravest.
- 2To face something hard or dangerous without backing away.
Like walking straight into the wind instead of turning back.
They braved the storm to reach the hospital in time.
You must brave the cold if you want to see the sunrise.
UsageOften brave the cold or brave the storm: go out even though it is hard.
Similarface, defy, endure, weather, withstand
Note
- 3Foolish or not sensible.
Like crossing a busy road with your eyes shut.
It was a bit brave of him to drive without any insurance.
Spending all your wages on lottery tickets is brave, if you ask me.
UsageA brave move often politely means a silly or risky idea.
Less common meanings
- 4Looking grand, bright, or impressive.
Like a peacock showing off its bright, spread-out feathers.
The soldiers made a brave sight in their bright new uniforms.
She wore a brave red coat that everyone in the room noticed.
UsageOften a brave sight. It is about looks, not courage.
Similarsplendid, fine, grand, magnificent, showy
Note
- 5A warrior among Native American peoples.
The young brave rode ahead to scout the valley.
Each brave carried a bow and a quiver of arrows.
UsageKeep it for quoting old books. Today, say warrior.
Similarwarrior
- 6Excellent or better than others in some way.
It being a brave day, I walked to Whitehall.
18 February 1666, Samuel Pepys, diary entryHere, brave means excellent or very fine, so it was a lovely day.Iron is a brave commodity where wood aboundeth.
1625, Francis [Bacon], “Of Plantations”Here, brave means excellent or very good, so iron is a fine thing to trade.Note
- 7A man who acts too boldly and pushes other people around.
Hot Braves, like thee, may fight; but know not well / To manage this, the laſt great Stake of Hell.
1674, John Dryden, The State of InnocenceHere, Braves means reckless men who show off and act like bullies.Note
- 8A bold challenge meant to dare or defy someone.
Demetrius, thou dost overween in all; / And so in this, to bear me down with braves.
c. 1588, William Shakespeare, “The Lamentable Tragedy of Titus Andronicus”Here, braves means challenges or bold shows of defiance aimed at a rival.Note
- 9To make something look fine or fancy.
Face not me. Thou hast braved many men; brave not me. I will neither be faced nor braved.
c. 1590, William Shakespeare, “The Taming of the Shrew”Here, braved is a pun: dressed up in fine clothes, and also defied.Note
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origins
It came from French 'brave', which came from Italian 'bravo'. No one is sure where 'bravo' first came from.
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 3 facts
- English 'brave' came from French 'brave'. en.wiktionary.org
- French 'brave' came from Italian 'bravo'. en.wiktionary.org
- The origin of Italian 'bravo' is uncertain. en.wiktionary.org
It came from the French word 'braver', which came from 'brave'.
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts
- The English verb 'brave' came from French 'braver'. en.wiktionary.org
- French 'braver' derives from 'brave'. en.wiktionary.org