dare
gb/dˈɛɹ/ us/dˈɛɹ/
A2
English
~ 2900
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
state
1
To be brave enough to do something
To be brave enough to do something that is dangerous or difficult.
Usage pattern:
to dare [to do something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes forget 'to' before the verb in 'dare to do something' in affirmative sentences.
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.)
Collocations
dare to dream
|hardly dare
|dare speak
|dare ask
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She didn’t dare speak in front of the large crowd.
- I wouldn’t dare go out in this storm.
- 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.
- She dares to try new food.
- He dares to ask the teacher a question.
Verb
B1
action
2
To provoke someone to try something risky
To ask or tell someone to do something dangerous or difficult as a way of testing them.
Usage pattern:
to dare [someone] [to do something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this with the reflexive form 'dare myself', which is not idiomatic in English.
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.)
Collocations
double dare
|dare someone
Themes
social
|daily life
|daily_life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I dare you to jump into the lake.
- They dared him to eat the hot pepper.
- She dared me to speak to the celebrity.
Learner examples
- I dare you to run fast.
- He dares me to climb the tree.
- She dares her friend to dance.
Noun
A2
entity
3
A challenge involving risk or boldness
A game or test where someone tells you to do something dangerous or hard.
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.)
Collocations
truth or dare
|accept a dare
|on a dare
Themes
games
|social
|daily_life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He accepted the dare and jumped into the icy river.
- It was just a silly dare between friends.
- She did it on a dare from her classmates.
Learner examples
- I take a dare from my friend.
- He does a dare in the game.
- She wins the dare.
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.