coward
gb/kˈaʊɚd/ us/kˈaʊɚd/
B2
English
gyáva
NOUN
B2
1
gyáva
B1
Usage pattern:
call [someone] a coward
He wasn’t a coward, but he was terrified of heights.
Nem volt gyáva, de rettegett a magasságtól.
The captain refused to abandon the crew, calling anyone who fled a coward.
A kapitány nem volt hajlandó magára hagyni a legénységet, és gyávának nevezett mindenkit, aki elmenekült.
She thought it was cowardly to blame someone else for your mistake.
Learner examples
Don’t call him a coward.
Ne nevezd őt gyávának.
A coward is afraid to face danger.
A gyáva fél szembenézni a veszéllyel.
Common mistake:
Use the noun coward for a person; use cowardly for the adjective (not *a coward person*).
Meaning
person who lacks courage
Collocations
complete coward
|total coward
|absolute coward
|a cowardly act
|brand [someone] a coward
|call [someone] a coward
|accuse [someone] of being a coward
|act like a coward
|prove to be a coward
|a bunch of cowards
Synonyms
wimp (More informal; often suggests weakness rather than fear.)
|
chicken (Informal; commonly used about being afraid to do something.)
|
craven (More formal/literary; emphasizes contemptible fear.)
Antonyms
brave person (Shows courage in danger or difficulty.)
|
hero (Not only brave, but admired for courageous actions.)
Themes
emotions
|people
|conflict
Definition
A person who is not brave.
A person who is easily frightened and avoids danger, pain, or difficult situations because they lack courage.
NOUN
C1
2
gyáva
B1
Usage pattern:
be a coward about [something]
He was too much of a coward to admit he was wrong.
Túl gyáva volt ahhoz, hogy beismerje, tévedett.
She called the manager a coward for refusing to stand up to the bullying.
Gyávának nevezte a vezetőt, amiért nem mert fellépni a zaklatással szemben.
Walking away without apologizing felt like the coward’s option.
Learner examples
Don’t be a coward about it.
Ne légy gyáva emiatt.
He was too much of a coward to tell the truth.
Túl gyáva volt ahhoz, hogy elmondja az igazat.
Common mistake:
This meaning is not only about physical danger; it can be about fear of consequences or criticism.
Meaning
person who avoids hard choices
Collocations
moral coward
|political coward
|a cowardly refusal
|cowardly silence
|a cowardly compromise
|cowardly excuse
|too much of a coward to [do something]
|a coward about confrontation
Synonyms
weakling (More about lack of strength or character in general.)
|
pushover (Emphasizes being easily controlled rather than being afraid.)
Antonyms
person of principle (Acts according to values despite pressure or risk.)
|
truth-teller (Speaks honestly even when it is difficult.)
Themes
emotions
|ethics
|relationships
|work
Definition
A person who does not do the right thing because they are afraid.
A person who avoids doing what they believe is right or necessary because it is risky, unpleasant, or might bring criticism.
NOUN
B2
INFORMAL
3
gyáva
B1
Usage pattern:
You coward!
“Come back and fight!” she shouted. “Coward!”
„Gyere vissza, és harcolj!” – kiáltotta. „Gyáva!”
He slammed the door, muttering, “Cowards, the lot of them.”
Bevágta az ajtót, és azt morogta: „Mind gyávák, az egész banda.”
Don’t call your friends cowards just because they disagree with you.
Learner examples
He yelled, “Coward!”
Azt üvöltötte: „Gyáva!”
Common mistake:
In direct address, it usually sounds harsh or aggressive; it’s not appropriate in polite conversation.
Meaning
insult meaning not brave
Collocations
you coward
|you little coward
|coward!
|stop being a coward
|don’t be a coward
Synonyms
wimp (Often less severe and more casual than coward.)
|
loser (A broader insult; not specifically about fear.)
Antonyms
champion (Used approvingly for someone admirable or brave.)
Themes
emotions
|conflict
|communication
Definition
An insult for someone who is not brave.
A strongly critical word used to insult someone as lacking courage or confidence.
C2
LITERARY
4
gyáva
B1
Usage pattern:
[a] coward attack
The novel describes the ruler as a coward man who hides behind others.
A regény úgy írja le az uralkodót, mint gyáva embert, aki mások mögé bújik.
In older writing, you may see coward used where modern English would use cowardly.
Régebbi szövegekben előfordulhat a coward ott, ahol a mai angol inkább a cowardly szót használná.
Common mistake:
In modern English, use cowardly as the adjective in most situations.
Meaning
cowardly (rare adjective use)
Collocations
coward act
|coward fear
|coward heart
Synonyms
cowardly (The standard modern adjective form.)
Antonyms
brave (Shows courage.)
Themes
emotions
|literature
Definition
Not brave (rare use; usually say cowardly).
Cowardly; showing a lack of courage (now rare except in fixed or literary uses).
Grammar
Dictionary form
coward
IPA
GB/kˈaʊɚd/
US/kˈaʊɚd/
Syllables & stress
cow - ard (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (cow)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: coward
- Plural: cowards
Word family
Expressions
a coward dies a thousand deaths
1/ə kˈaʊɚd dˈaɪz ə θˈaʊzənd dˈɛθs/
idiom
literary
fear causes repeated suffering
Being afraid all the time makes you suffer again and again.
Examples
- He kept imagining the worst outcomes—like the saying goes, a coward dies a thousand deaths.
- She repeated the proverb, arguing that fear can be more painful than the event itself.
coward at heart
1/kˈaʊɚd ˈæt hˈɑɹt/
fixed phrase
secretly not brave inside
Not brave inside, even if you look brave.
Examples
- He acts tough online, but he’s a coward at heart.
- They said the bully was a coward at heart.
Learner examples
- He is a coward at heart.
coward punch
1/kˈaʊɚd pˈʌnt͡ʃ/
fixed phrase
informal
sudden punch without warning
A surprise punch when the other person isn’t ready.
Examples
- The court heard that the victim was hit with a coward punch from behind.
- Security footage showed a man throwing a coward punch outside the bar.
coward's way out
1/kˈaʊɚdz wˈeɪ ˈaʊt/
fixed phrase
easy but shameful escape
A way to escape a problem that people think is shameful.
Examples
- Walking away without an explanation felt like the coward’s way out.
- He said quitting before the deadline would be the coward’s way out.
- Some people use the phrase to criticize suicide, which can be hurtful.
Learner examples
- Don’t take the coward’s way out.
he's no coward. / she's no coward.
1/hˈiz nˈoʊ kˈaʊɚd ‖ ʃˈiz nˈoʊ kˈaʊɚd ‖/
fixed phrase
said to mean very brave
This person is brave.
Examples
- She’s no coward—she’ll tell them exactly what she thinks.
- He’s no coward, but he also knows when to back off.
- Don’t worry about him; he’s no coward.
Learner examples
- He is no coward.