brave
/breɪv/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
Brave means showing courage when you are afraid or in danger. It describes someone who faces difficult situations without backing away.
- She was brave during the emergency.
- A brave child spoke in front of the class.
- It was brave to tell the truth.
verb
To brave something means to face or endure it, especially something unpleasant or dangerous. This use is more common in writing than in everyday speech.
- They braved the storm to reach home.
- He braved the cold wind outside.
- We braved the crowds to enter the market.
Adinary Nuance
Brave is close to courageous, bold, and fearless, but it is usually simpler and more everyday. Courageous sounds a little more formal and often fits serious situations. Bold can mean brave, but it can also suggest confidence or risk-taking. Fearless sounds stronger, as if the person feels little or no fear.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- dũng cảm
- Spanish
- valiente
- Chinese
- 勇敢
- Japanese
- 勇敢な
- Korean
- 용감한
Etymology
Brave entered English from French in the 1500s, originally meaning “bold” or “splendid.” Its older sense of showy or fine is now rare.
Common phrases
brave enoughbrave facebrave the stormbrave new world
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is brave formal or informal?
- Brave is common in both speech and writing. It is simpler than courageous and less formal.
- What is the difference between brave and courageous?
- Both mean not afraid to face danger. Courageous sounds a little more formal and serious.
- Can I use brave as a verb?
- Yes, but it is less common than the adjective. For example: “They braved the rain.”
- Is brave a positive word?
- Yes. It praises someone for facing fear, pain, or danger.