dare
gb/dˈɛɹ/ us/dˈɛɹ/
A2
English
~ 2900
mer, kihív, heccel, tedd meg, ha mersz, kihívás, bátorságpróba
VERB
B1
1
mer
A2
Usage pattern:
to dare [to do something]
She didn’t dare speak in front of the large crowd.
Nem mert beszélni a nagy tömeg előtt.
I wouldn’t dare go out in this storm.
Nem mernék kimenni ebben a viharban.
Do you dare challenge the champion?
He dared to travel alone through the desert.
Learner examples
I don’t dare go into the dark room.
Nem merek bemenni a sötét szobába.
She dares to try new food.
Meg mer kóstolni új ételeket.
He dares to ask the teacher a question.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes forget 'to' before the verb in 'dare to do something' in affirmative sentences.
Meaning
To be brave enough to do something
Collocations
dare to dream
|hardly dare
|dare speak
|dare ask
Synonyms
venture (Implies taking a risk, especially in a new or uncertain situation.)
|
risk (Focuses more on the danger involved rather than bravery.)
Antonyms
avoid (Means to stay away from doing something, often due to fear or caution.)
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To be brave enough to do something that is dangerous or difficult.
To have enough courage or boldness to do something that is risky, unusual, or difficult.
VERB
B1
2
Usage pattern:
to dare [someone] [to do something]
I dare you to jump into the lake.
Na, ugorj be a tóba, ha mersz!
They dared him to eat the hot pepper.
Azt mondták neki: egye meg a csípős paprikát, ha meri.
She dared me to speak to the celebrity.
Learner examples
I dare you to run fast.
Fuss gyorsan, ha mersz!
He dares me to climb the tree.
Azt mondja, másszak fel a fára, ha merek.
She dares her friend to dance.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this with the reflexive form 'dare myself', which is not idiomatic in English.
Meaning
To provoke someone to try something risky
Collocations
double dare
|dare someone
Synonyms
challenge (A general term for inviting someone to prove themselves.)
|
provoke (Implies trying to make someone react, often emotionally.)
Antonyms
discourage (Means to try to stop someone from doing something.)
Themes
social
|daily life
|daily_life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To ask or tell someone to do something dangerous or difficult as a way of testing them.
To challenge or provoke someone to do something that may be risky, shocking, or difficult.
NOUN
A2
3
kihívás
B1
He accepted the dare and jumped into the icy river.
Elfogadta a kihívást, és beugrott a jeges folyóba.
It was just a silly dare between friends.
Csak egy buta kihívás volt barátok között.
She did it on a dare from her classmates.
Learner examples
I take a dare from my friend.
Elfogadok egy kihívást a barátomtól.
He does a dare in the game.
Megcsinál egy kihívást a játékban.
She wins the dare.
Meaning
A challenge involving risk or boldness
Collocations
truth or dare
|accept a dare
|on a dare
Synonyms
challenge (A general term for an action that tests someone's ability or courage.)
Antonyms
refusal (The act of saying no to a challenge.)
Themes
games
|social
|daily_life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A game or test where someone tells you to do something dangerous or hard.
A challenge given to someone to do something risky, shocking, or unusual, often as part of a game.
Grammar
Dictionary form
dare
IPA
GB/dˈɛɹ/
US/dˈɛɹ/
Syllables & stress
dare (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (dare)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: dare
Word family
Core family
daring
adjective
Related words
daringly
adverb
Advanced or less common
daredevil
noun
Expressions
don't you dare
1/dˈoʊnt jˈu dˈɛɹ/
fixed phrase
informal
Warning not to do something bold or wrong
Used to tell someone very strongly not to do something.
Examples
- Don’t you dare touch my phone!
- Don’t you dare tell anyone about this.
how dare you
1/hˈaʊ dˈɛɹ jˈu/
fixed phrase
Strong disapproval of bold behavior
Used to show you are angry because someone did something rude or wrong.
Examples
- How dare you speak to me like that!
- How dare you take my things without asking?
I dare say
1/ˈaɪ dˈɛɹ sˈeɪ/
fixed phrase
formal
Polite way of giving an opinion
Used before saying something you think is true but are not completely sure about.
Examples
- I dare say she’ll be late again.
- I dare say we’ve met before.