courage
gb/kˈɚɪd͡ʒ/ us/kˈɚɪd͡ʒ/
B1
English
~ 8600
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
property
1
ability to face fear or danger
The ability to do something that is scary, hard, or painful, without letting fear stop you.
Usage pattern:
to have the courage to [verb]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'a courage' as if it were countable (e.g., *'He has a big courage'*). In modern English, 'courage' is almost always uncountable, so say 'He has great courage' or 'He is very courageous.' Another common mistake is saying *'do courage'*, but the natural pattern is 'have courage' or 'show courage.'
Synonyms
bravery (Very close in meaning; slightly more formal and often used for facing physical danger.)
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boldness (Suggests taking risks more freely, sometimes without enough care; can sound more reckless than 'courage'.)
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guts (Informal; strongly emphasizes toughness and willingness to face danger or difficulty.)
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nerve (Informal; can suggest both admirable courage and a slightly shocking lack of fear or respect.)
Antonyms
cowardice (Direct opposite; a lack of courage, especially when courage is expected or needed.)
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fear (An emotion that often stops people from showing courage in dangerous or difficult situations.)
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timidity (A shy, overly careful nature that avoids risk and makes it hard to act bravely.)
Collocations
great courage
|show courage
|physical courage
|act of courage
|have the courage to
|extraordinary courage
Themes
emotions
|character
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He showed great courage when he ran into the burning building to save the child.
- Climbing the icy mountain in winter took real courage.
- The firefighters were praised for their courage during the wildfires.
- She faced months of painful treatment with quiet courage.
- Their courage under fire changed the course of the battle.
Learner examples
- The little boy had the courage to jump into the deep water.
- It takes courage to start a new life in another country.
- She did not lose courage when the job was very hard.
- He showed courage when he rescued the dog from the river.
- The sick woman met each day with courage and hope.
Noun
B1
property
2
moral or emotional bravery
The inner strength to do the right thing or make a hard personal choice, even when you are afraid.
Usage pattern:
to have the courage to [verb]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'courage' only for physical danger and forget it is very common for moral or emotional choices, especially with patterns like 'the courage to speak up' or 'the courage to leave.' Another mistake is using 'brave' instead of 'courage' in fixed phrases, for example saying *'have the brave to say it'* instead of 'have the courage to say it.'
Synonyms
backbone (Informal; stresses strong character and refusal to give in under moral or social pressure.)
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resolve (Emphasizes firm decision and determination more than feelings of fear or danger.)
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integrity (Focuses on strong moral principles; implies courage, but also honesty and consistency.)
Antonyms
weakness (Suggests a lack of inner strength to act rightly or make difficult personal choices.)
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spinelessness (Informal and negative; describes someone who will not stand up for what is right.)
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cowardice (In this context, a failure to act morally or emotionally when action is needed because of fear.)
Collocations
moral courage
|emotional courage
|the courage of your convictions
|courage to speak up
|courage to admit
|courage to leave
Themes
emotions
|ethics
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She finally found the courage to leave the abusive relationship.
- He had the courage to admit he was wrong in front of the whole team.
- It takes real courage to speak up when your friends are doing something hurtful.
- The journalist showed great courage in reporting the truth despite the threats.
- Coming out to his parents required more courage than anything he had ever done.
Learner examples
- She did not have the courage to tell him the truth.
- He needs courage to say sorry to his sister.
- It takes courage to tell your boss that he is wrong.
- She has the courage to follow her own ideas.
- You must find the courage to end a bad friendship.
Grammar
Dictionary form
courage
IPA
GB/kˈɚɪd͡ʒ/
US/kˈɚɪd͡ʒ/
Syllables & stress
cour - age (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (cour)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: courage
- Plural: courage
Word family
Core family
Related words
encouraging
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
Advanced or less common
courageousness
noun
Expressions
Dutch courage
1/dˈʌt͡ʃ kˈɚɪd͡ʒ/
idiom
informal
courage from drinking alcohol
Bravery or confidence that a person feels only because they have drunk alcohol.
Examples
- He had to rely on Dutch courage to get through his speech.
- Without Dutch courage, I doubt he would have said anything.
- A little Dutch courage helped her walk up to the microphone.
have the courage to
1/hˈæv ðə kˈɚɪd͡ʒ tə/
fixed phrase
possess enough courage to act
To be brave enough to do something that is difficult, scary, or uncomfortable.
Examples
- She finally had the courage to ask for a pay raise.
- Do you have the courage to tell him what really happened?
- He never had the courage to follow his dream.
liquid courage
1/lˈɪkwɪd kˈɚɪd͡ʒ/
idiom
informal
alcohol that boosts confidence
Alcohol that makes a person feel more brave or confident than usual.
Examples
- He needed a bit of liquid courage before getting on stage.
- After some liquid courage, she finally talked to her crush.
- Try to face the interview without relying on liquid courage.
lose courage
1/lˈuz kˈɚɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
stop feeling brave
To stop feeling brave and confident, usually because something seems too hard or frightening.
Examples
- He almost lost courage when he saw how many people were in the audience.
- She began the project full of energy but quickly lost courage when the problems appeared.
- Don’t lose courage now; you’re very close to the finish line.
take courage
1/tˈeɪk kˈɚɪd͡ʒ/
idiom
literary
become braver or more hopeful
To become braver or more hopeful, especially when someone or something gives you new strength.
Examples
- She took courage from her friends’ support and decided to go ahead with the plan.
- Hearing that others had survived similar operations allowed him to take courage.
- The team took courage from their early success in the game.
the courage of your convictions
1/ðə kˈɚɪd͡ʒ əv jˈʊɹ kənvˈɪkʃənz/
idiom
bravery to act on beliefs
The courage to do what you really believe is right, even when other people disagree or it causes problems for you.
Examples
- She always shows the courage of her convictions and speaks out against injustice.
- Having the courage of your convictions can make you unpopular but respected.
- He lacked the courage of his convictions and stayed silent during the vote.
work up the courage
1/wˈɚk ˈʌp ðə kˈɚɪd͡ʒ/
idiom
build up courage over time
To slowly make yourself feel brave enough to do something difficult or scary.
Examples
- It took him weeks to work up the courage to ask her out.
- She is still working up the courage to quit her job.
- He couldn’t work up the courage to tell his parents the news.
pluck up the courage
1/plˈʌk ˈʌp ðə kˈɚɪd͡ʒ/
idiom
Force yourself to be brave enough
To make yourself feel brave enough to do something that is difficult or scary.
Examples
- He finally plucked up the courage to ask her out.
- I need to pluck up the courage to speak to my boss about a raise.
- She plucked up the courage and jumped into the cold water.
pluck up the courage
2/plˈʌk ˈʌp ðə kˈɚɪd͡ʒ/
idiom
gather enough courage to act
To slowly get enough courage to do something that you feel nervous or afraid to do.
Examples
- I finally plucked up the courage to call her.
- He plucked up the courage to speak in front of the whole class.
- After months of hesitation, she plucked up the courage and changed careers.
screw up your courage
1/skɹˈu ˈʌp jˈʊɹ kˈɚɪd͡ʒ/
idiom
informal
force yourself to be brave
To push yourself to be brave enough to do something you really do not want to do because it is scary or embarrassing.
Examples
- He screwed up his courage and knocked on the director’s door.
- I finally screwed up my courage to give a speech in English.
- She screwed up her courage and told them she was leaving.
screw up your courage
2/skɹˈu ˈʌp jˈʊɹ kˈɚɪd͡ʒ/
idiom
literary
gather courage to do something
To make yourself feel brave enough to do something that is difficult or scary.
Examples
- She finally screwed up her courage and asked for a raise.
- He screwed up his courage and stepped onto the stage.
summon up the courage
1/sˈʌmən ˈʌp ðə kˈɚɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
find courage to do something hard
To make yourself feel brave enough to do something that is difficult or scary.
Examples
- He couldn’t summon up the courage to tell her the truth.
- I’m trying to summon up the courage to quit my job and move abroad.
summon up the courage
2/sˈʌmən ˈʌp ðə kˈɚɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
deliberately call on your courage
To make a strong effort to feel brave enough to do something hard or frightening.
Examples
- She summoned up the courage to speak to her manager.
- He finally summoned up the courage to visit the dentist after years of avoiding it.
- I’m trying to summon up the courage to move to another country.