brave
Not afraid to do something that is dangerous or hard, or trying to do it even if you are afraid.
Showing a willingness to face danger, pain, or difficult situations, even when you feel afraid.
To go into or stay in a bad or hard situation instead of running away from it.
To deal with something dangerous, difficult, or unpleasant in a determined way, without avoiding it or showing fear.
Bright and strong in color or style so that people notice it easily and may think it is a bit risky.
Describing colors, designs, or styles that are bright, strong, and very noticeable, often in a way that feels daring or unusual.
Used mainly as "the brave" to mean people, often soldiers, who are very brave.
Used especially in the phrase "the brave" to refer collectively to people, often soldiers, who are admired for great courage.
An old word in stories for a Native American man who fights as a warrior. This word is not polite in modern English.
In old writing, a term for a Native American warrior, especially a young man; now considered dated and often offensive or stereotypical.
- 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.