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courageous

courageous

157 3.3
Not afraid to face danger or problems
  • adjective
  • /kəˈreɪdʒəs/
translation icon : valiente
  • The firefighter made a courageous decision to enter the burning building to save the trapped family.
  • a courageous act
  • morally courageous
  • a courageous leader

Besides being brilliant and courageous, you also look gorgeous.

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Examples

  • University faculty must be courageous to facilitate academic discussions that demand the protection of LGBT youth.

    Academic text (2008)
  • We had been through a lot together, and he had proven himself courageous, reliable, and sensible.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • And it was such a courageous act and helped so many people.

  • Everyone in town would be saying tomorrow what a courageous, tough old bird his mother was.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • I'm seeing the light because of courageous young women like you.

  • So I believe that I'm courageous enough to take the risk.

  • Thank you, Sergeant, for the very powerful and courageous testimony.

  • What was the most courageous thing that you've done?

  • What you did on the court last night... was the most courageous thing I've ever seen any man do.

  • We can set free a sense of ourselves as courageous people able to act powerfully for justice.

    Academic text (1999)

Synonyms

brave
vscourageous
906 1.0

Has courage when facing danger, pain or fear

is the general capacity to face danger without being overcome by fear
heroic
vscourageous
154 3.8

Shows great courage when facing danger or difficulty

is used for ordinary acts of facing danger without collapse
fearless
vscourageous
117 3.4

Shows courage in dangerous or hard situations

allows feeling fear but emphasizes acting despite it
gutsy
vscourageous
  • Informal
30 6.3

Brave and willing to take risks in hard situations

is the neutral term for facing danger without emotional colouring
plucky
vscourageous
14 6.8

To be brave and keep trying when things are hard

is broader, applying to any degree of facing danger or difficulty
valiant
vscourageous
  • Formal
13 5.3

A person who shows great courage in dangerous or difficult situations

is the everyday ability to confront danger or difficulty
gallant
vscourageous
8 5.6

Being brave and lively in a bold, energetic way

is the neutral capacity to face danger calmly rather than stylistic boldness
valorous
vscourageous
  • Formal
1 8.8

Being very brave when you face danger

is a broader quality of facing threats or hardship
daring
vscourageous
1 3.2

Courage to take risks or face danger

stresses facing danger itself rather than seeking risk for its own sake
nervy
vscourageous
1 7.5

Showing courage in dangerous or risky situations

is steadier, about facing danger rather than taking flashy risks
brave as a lion
vscourageous
  • Informal
1 4.2

Not afraid to do very dangerous or difficult things

is high but more typical readiness to face danger
stouthearted
vscourageous
1 8.2

Brave and determined when facing danger or hard times

focuses on facing danger or pain without being overcome by fear
spirited
vscourageous
4.3

Brave and determined when facing danger or difficulty

is more about calm endurance than energetic boldness

Antonyms

84 3.9

Feeling fear and avoiding dangerous or difficult situations

60 3.5

Shy and afraid to do new or risky things

How Brave

heroic
154 3.8
valiant
  • Formal
35 6.1
courageous
157 3.3
brave
906 1.0
bold
257 2.7

Surface Forms

courageous positive

Morphology

courageous = courage (transparent) = courage + ous

Meaning is directly derived from 'courage' with the adjectival suffix '-ous' meaning 'having or full of'.

Etymology

Courageous comes from courage, which comes from an old Latin root cor meaning 'heart'. So, to be courageous is to have 'heart' — to face danger or difficulty even when you are afraid.