brave
showing courage despite fear
Not afraid to do something that is dangerous or hard, or trying to do it even if you are afraid.
brave [person / action / decision]
- The firefighters were incredibly brave during the rescue.
- It was very brave of her to speak in public about her illness.
- He made a brave decision to leave a secure job and start his own business.
- The children were scared, but they tried to be brave.
- She gave a brave little smile and walked onto the stage.
- The soldier was very brave in the war.
- It is brave to say sorry when you are wrong.
- The boy was scared of the dog, but he tried to be brave.
- She made a brave choice to move to another country alone.
- My sister is brave; she is not afraid of spiders.
face danger or difficulty
To go into or stay in a bad or hard situation instead of running away from it.
brave [danger / weather / situation / criticism]
- Thousands of fans braved the rain to see the concert.
- She braved the rush-hour traffic to get to the meeting on time.
- He decided to brave his boss's anger and tell the truth.
- Residents are braving freezing temperatures after the power cuts.
- We would have to brave the crowds if we went shopping now.
- Many people braved the cold to watch the game.
- She braved the storm to bring food to her parents.
- He braved his fear of flying and took the plane.
- We braved the heavy rain to visit the museum.
- They braved the long line to buy tickets.
bright and noticeable in style
Bright and strong in color or style so that people notice it easily and may think it is a bit risky.
brave [color / design / outfit / new look]
- The designer chose brave colors for the new collection.
- It's a brave outfit, but it really suits you.
- The restaurant's brave interior design certainly gets people talking.
- They painted the house a brave shade of yellow.
- Her brave use of patterns makes the room feel energetic.
- He wore a brave red jacket to the party.
- The room has brave colors on the walls.
- It is a brave design, but I like it.
- She chose a brave green dress for her wedding.
- The artist uses brave lines and shapes in his work.
very courageous people, especially soldiers
Used mainly as "the brave" to mean people, often soldiers, who are very brave.
the brave [plural verb]
- A minute of silence was held to honor the brave.
- Songs were written to remember the brave who died in the battle.
- Monuments to the brave stand in many town squares.
- We owe our freedom to the brave who fought before us.
- The ceremony paid tribute to the brave and their families.
- They built a statue for the brave who died in the war.
- We remember the brave on this special day.
- The mayor thanked the brave for their service.
- This song is for the brave who helped our country.
- They had a parade to honor the brave.
Native American warrior (dated usage)
An old word in stories for a Native American man who fights as a warrior. This word is not polite in modern English.
Indian brave
- In the old novel, a young brave guides the settlers through the forest.
- Many classic Western films showed 'Indian braves' in a stereotyped way.
- Modern writers avoid using the word 'brave' in this sense because it can be offensive.
- The old book talks about an Indian brave.
- Today, people do not use the word 'brave' for Native American men.
- This meaning of 'brave' is old and can hurt people.
- Base: brave
- Comparative: braver
- Superlative: bravest
- Base: brave
- Plural: brave, braves
- Base: brave
- 3rd Person Singular: braves
- Present Participle: braving
- Past: braved
be brave
1to show courage, not fear
To not be afraid, or to try not to be afraid, when you do something hard, dangerous, or painful. Often used to comfort or encourage someone.
- The nurse told the child to be brave when she gave him the injection.
- Be brave and tell her how you really feel.
- He tried to be brave in front of his family, even though he was very worried.
brave enough to [do something]
1having enough courage for an action
Having the needed courage to do something that is scary or difficult.
- Are you brave enough to speak in front of 500 people?
- She was finally brave enough to leave her unhappy job.
- He wasn't brave enough to tell his parents the truth.
brave it out
1endure a hard situation
To continue in a bad or painful situation and not give up or run away until it is over.
- The children decided to brave it out and keep playing in the heavy rain.
- She could have gone home early, but she braved it out until the end of the meeting.
- He chose to brave it out rather than cancel the performance.
brave new world
1strange, exciting new situation
A completely new way of living, working, or thinking that is very different from before and may seem exciting but also a little scary or dangerous.
- Many people feel lost in this brave new world of artificial intelligence.
- Online learning has created a brave new world for both teachers and students.
- The invention of smartphones opened a brave new world of communication.
Fortune favors the brave
1success comes to risk-takers
A saying that means people who are brave and take risks are more likely to get good results or success.
- He invested in his own company, believing that fortune favors the brave.
- She moved abroad without a job offer, saying that fortune favors the brave.
- If you really want change, remember that fortune favors the brave.
put on a brave face
1hide feelings of fear or sadness
To behave as if you are happy, calm, or not afraid, even when you are really sad, worried, or scared inside.
- She put on a brave face and went back to work the next day.
- He tried to put on a brave face for the kids, but they knew he was upset.
- Although she was nervous, she put on a brave face during the interview.
the brave and the bold
1people who are brave and daring
People who are very brave and not afraid to take big risks.
- This extreme sport is only for the brave and the bold.
- The city has always attracted the brave and the bold from across the country.
- The competition is a challenge for the brave and the bold, not for the faint-hearted.
brave the elements
1go out in bad weather
To go outside or stay outside even when the weather is very cold, wet, or stormy.
- Hundreds of fans braved the elements to watch the match.
- We decided not to brave the elements and stayed at home instead.
- Only a few shoppers braved the elements on such a windy day.
brave the elements
2Go out in bad weather
To go outside even when the weather is bad.
- We braved the elements to watch the parade.
- Despite the storm, they braved the elements to help their neighbors.