# brave

Pronunciation: say "BRAYV" /bɹeɪv/

## Adjective

1. Showing courage and strength when facing danger, pain, or fear rather than giving in to it.
   - Simple: Willing to face something hard or scary even when you feel afraid.
   - _Soldiers were praised for their brave defense of the bridge._
   - _She made a brave decision to leave her secure job and start over._
3. Foolish or unwise; rashly imprudent rather than genuinely courageous. *(UK)*
   - Simple: Foolish or not sensible.
   - _Quitting a steady job in the middle of a recession was a brave move, to put it kindly._
   - _Planning an outdoor wedding in November is very brave, and I don't mean that as a compliment._
4. Making a fine or splendid show; striking and impressive in appearance.
   - Simple: Looking grand, bright, or impressive.
   - _The procession made a brave display of banners, drums, and gold._
   - _The garden put on its bravest show of color in midsummer._

## Verb

2. To confront danger, hardship, or opposition with courage and determination instead of avoiding it.
   - Simple: To face something hard or dangerous without backing away.
   - _Thousands braved freezing temperatures to attend the rally downtown._
   - _Explorers brave the harsh desert to map routes no one has charted._

## Noun

5. A warrior belonging to a Native American people. *(dated)*
   - Simple: A warrior among Native American peoples.
   - _Several braves gathered around the fire before the hunt began._
   - _A seasoned brave led the war party across the swollen river._
7. A man who is daring beyond all discretion; a swaggering bully. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: A man who acts too boldly and pushes other people around.
8. A challenge or act of defiance; a show of bravado aimed at a rival. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: A bold challenge meant to dare or defy someone.

## Adjective

6. Excellent; having some kind of superiority or fine quality above the ordinary. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: Excellent or better than others in some way.

## Verb

9. To adorn; to make fine, splendid, or showy in appearance. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: To make something look fine or fancy.

## Origin

**Meanings 1, 3–8** — English took 'brave' from Middle French 'brave', which was borrowed from Italian 'bravo', a word of uncertain origin. It is a doublet of 'bravo'.
**Meanings 2, 9** — This comes from Middle French 'braver', which was formed from 'brave'.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/brave (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).