bravebrave1 /breɪv/ ●●● S3 adjective (comparative braver, superlative bravest) 
brave soldiers her brave fight against cancerit is brave of somebody (to do something) It was brave of you to speak in front of all those people. b)the brave [plural] brave people: Today we remember the brave who died in the last war.2very good: Despite their captain’s brave performance, Arsenal lost 2–1.brave effort/attempt the brave efforts of the medical staff to save his life3put on a brave face/front to pretend that you are happy when you are really very upset4brave new world a situation or a way of doing something that is new and exciting and meant to improve people’s lives: the brave new world of digital television—bravely adverb: She smiled bravely.THESAURUSbrave showing that you are not afraid to do things that other people find dangerous or difficult: · I think he was incredibly brave to do a parachute jump.· a brave attempt to change the systemcourageous /kəˈreɪdʒəs/ especially written very brave – used especially about someone fighting for what they believe in, or fighting against a disease: · a courageous speech· her courageous fight against cancerdaring brave and willing to take a lot of risks: · a daring escape from a prison camp· a daring fighter pilot· a daring thing to dobold willing to make difficult decisions or say what you think, even though it may involve risks: · It was a bold move to set up his own company.· She was very bold in criticizing the leadership.intrepid written willing to do dangerous things or go to dangerous places: · an intrepid traveller· We sent our intrepid reporter to find out what is happening.adventurous used about someone who enjoys going to new places and doing new, possibly dangerous, things: · More adventurous visitors can go skiing or snowboarding.fearless not afraid of anything or anyone: · a fearless campaigner for human rightsheroic very brave and admired by many people: · heroic rescuers· Despite heroic efforts to save him, he died.plucky brave and determined – often used in newspapers: · Plucky Megan, aged 10, has beaten cancer twice.
WORD ORIGINbrave1
Origin:
1400-1500 French, Old Italian and Old Spanish bravo ‘brave, wild’, from Latin barbarus; ➔ BARBAROUSEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- a brave rescue attempt
- Come on, be brave. Just grit your teeth and it will all be over in no time.
- Her brave fight against cancer is an inspiration to us all.
- I wasn't sure if I was being brave or stupid.
- It's a brave effort to compete with the big publishers.
- It was very brave of you to tell her the truth.
- No matter how hard I tried to be brave and strong, I couldn't stop myself from crying.
- You have to be very brave to be a fireman.
- But if your admiration went to Fowler, your hearts went out to Francis' brave First Division side.
- But lately she felt braver and stronger, and smarter.
- Fall through the platform, and unless you're either amazingly brave or stupid head down the wind tunnel to the left.
- He was brave, reverent, and clean, though perhaps lacking in the trustworthiness department.
- I think you're very brave.
- Rain sat there, thinking about Barbara Coleman, a woman who was both brave and pathetic.
- The student company makes a brave effort at tackling the multiple roles.
- These were the rugged and fearful places the men continually returned to in search of a skilled and brave enemy.
THESAURUS
showing that you are not afraid to do things that other people find dangerous or difficult: · I think he was incredibly brave to do a parachute jump.· a brave attempt to change the system
especially written very brave – used especially about someone fighting for what they believe in, or fighting against a disease: · a courageous speech· her courageous fight against cancer
brave and willing to take a lot of risks: · a daring escape from a prison camp· a daring fighter pilot· a daring thing to do
willing to make difficult decisions or say what you think, even though it may involve risks: · It was a bold move to set up his own company.· She was very bold in criticizing the leadership.
written willing to do dangerous things or go to dangerous places: · an intrepid traveller· We sent our intrepid reporter to find out what is happening.
used about someone who enjoys going to new places and doing new, possibly dangerous, things: · More adventurous visitors can go skiing or snowboarding.
not afraid of anything or anyone: · a fearless campaigner for human rights
very brave and admired by many people: · heroic rescuers· Despite heroic efforts to save him, he died.
brave and determined – often used in newspapers: · Plucky Megan, aged 10, has beaten cancer twice.
Longman Language Activatornot afraid when you are in a dangerous or frightening situation someone who is brave does not show that they are afraid in a frightening situation or when they have to do something dangerous, painful, or unpleasant: · You have to be very brave to be a fireman.· a brave rescue attempt· No matter how hard I tried to be brave and strong, I couldn't stop myself from crying.· I wasn't sure if I was being brave or stupid.it is brave of somebody to do something: · It was very brave of you to tell her the truth.be brave (=used to tell someone to behave bravely): · Come on, be brave. Just grit your teeth and it will all be over in no time.
especially written someone who is courageous behaves very bravely, often for a long period, and especially when they are fighting for something they believe in or suffering great pain: · After a courageous struggle against cancer, Garcia died at the age of thirty.· Few will forget her courageous stand against inequality and injustice.· But for the actions of a few courageous individuals, we might all have died.
extremely brave and admired by a lot of people: · Amy Johnson is famous for her heroic solo flight from Britain to Australia in 1930.· Although the nationalists put up heroic resistance, the revolt was crushed in three days.· The film is a warm tribute to the heroic pilots of C Division.
someone who does something extremely brave and is admired by a lot of people. Use hero about a man or a woman, use heroine about a woman: · A famous World War Two hero, he later became a U.S. senator.· Don't try to be a hero. You'll only get hurt.· a heroine of the Resistance
not afraid to do possibly dangerous things not afraid of taking risks or doing dangerous things, or involving a lot of risks: · He would often do very foolish things just to prove how daring he was.· Three inmates fled the prison in a daring tunnel escape.· It is a particularly daring stunt, involving being tied up and suspended in mid-air.
someone who is adventurous enjoys going to new places and having new, possibly dangerous experiences: · The higher slopes are for the more adventurous skier.· She was naturally adventurous and loved the wild landscape of Colombia with all its beauty and danger.
not at all afraid of doing dangerous things, so that other people admire you: · The Comanches were great and fearless warriors.· Her fearless opposition to the military dictatorship has won admiration from around the world.
someone who enjoys doing extremely dangerous things and taking a lot of risks: · World famous daredevil Evel Knievel will attempt to cross the Grand Canyon on a rocket-powered motorcycle.
not afraid to do something new and different not afraid to do something new and unusual that many people will find shocking: · When she was young, everybody thought my grandmother was terribly daring because she smoked.· a daring new production of "Hamlet"
someone who is adventurous enjoys trying new things or taking risks: · I'm not very adventurous when it comes to trying new food.· Le Corbusier was the most adventurous architect of modern times, always experimenting with new forms and structures.
not afraid of taking risks, saying what you think and making difficult decisions: · What we need is a strong leader, someone who is bold enough to make tough decisions.· He was one of the boldest and most innovative composers of his day.
the ability to behave bravely the ability to behave bravely when you are in danger, suffering illness, or pain, or when other people are opposing you: · She showed great courage during her long illness.· Nelson Mandela will be remembered for his courage and integrity in the struggle against apartheid.take courage (=need courage): · Driving again after his accident must have taken a lot of courage.
the ability to behave bravely in a dangerous situation, for example during a war: · After the war, my uncle was awarded a medal for bravery.· Gina surprised us all with her bravery and endurance.· It was an act of the utmost bravery and disregard for personal safety.
informal the ability and determination to do something difficult or dangerous that other people are afraid to do: · I don't think he can possibly win, but you've got to admire his guts.have guts: · Whatever else you may say about Sally, she certainly has guts.it takes guts to do something (=you need guts to do something): · It took guts and determination to overcome such a severe handicap.
the ability to remain calm and confident in a dangerous, difficult, or frightening situation: · In a scary situation like that you need someone with plenty of nerve.· After a three day siege the kidnapper's nerve failed and he gave himself up to the police.it takes a lot of nerve to do something (=you need a lot of nerve to do something): · It takes a lot of nerve to report a colleague for sexual harassment.
to be brave enough to do something · None of the other people were brave enough to stand up to him.· Maybe if you were brave enough to ask her out she'd go to a movie with you.· Anyone brave enough to get this far would then find an electrified fence blocking their way.
to be brave enough to do something that is dangerous or that you are afraid of doing -- used in questions, negatives, and sentences beginning with 'if': · My sister used to steal things from stores, but I would never dare.not dare (to) do something: · No one dared to go into the old house at night.· She was so high up now that she didn't dare look down.dare do something: · Dare we take this decision without consulting the Prime Minister?
to be brave enough to do something unpleasant or difficult that other people are afraid to do spoken: · I know he made a mistake, but at least he had the guts to admit it!· Sarah's the only one who has the guts to speak her mind.
to be calm and confident enough to do something that is frightening or dangerous: · Not many people have the nerve to stand up and speak in front of a large audience.· I can't believe he had the nerve to show up at the party after what he said about Janet.
to force yourself to be brave and do something that you are afraid of doing, after thinking about it for a long time: · I eventually plucked up the courage to tell my parents that I was going to go and live in Canada.· David loves Julie but he can't get up enough courage to ask her to marry him.
not brave not brave: · He was too cowardly to say what he meant.· It was a cowardly attack on unarmed civilians.· NATO today condemned the incident, calling it a senseless and cowardly act.
someone who is not brave enough to do something dangerous or unpleasant that they should do: · He called me a coward, because I wouldn't fight.· Perhaps I should have turned back but I didn't want to be known as a quitter and a coward.be a coward about something: · She knew she was an awful coward about going to the dentist.
someone who is spineless is too weak to say what they really think because they are afraid of what might happen or what other people might say -- use this to show disapproval: · Don't be spineless -- you have to stand up to people like that.· The President has been accused of being spineless in the face of naked aggression.
informal someone who is afraid to do something you want them to do or think they should do, so that you think they are annoying or do not respect them - often used humorously: · Don't be such a wimp, Simon. Tell her you want to break up.· Because they don't risk money, corporate financiers are considered wimps by traders.
to decide not to do something because you are too frightened to suddenly lose the confidence and calmness that you need in order to do something dangerous or frightening: · Dan wanted to ask his boss for a day off but he lost his nerve at the last minute.· I stood at the top of the ski-slope for a minute then lost my nerve.
to not be brave enough to do something because you are afraid of what might happen if you do it: not dare do something: · The older boys used to bully me but I didn't dare complain.not dare to do something: · Billy stood on top of the rock, not daring to jump down.not dare: · I wanted to ask Dad for the money but I didn't dare.
spoken informal to not be brave enough to do something that you intended to do or said you would do: · I was supposed to make the introductory speech, but I chickened out at the last minute.chicken/wimp out of doing something: · She chickened out of telling her father that she and David were going to live together.
spoken to not be brave enough to do something that people think you should do: · He wouldn't have the guts to say that to me.· I planned to ask my boss for a raise but in the end I didn't have the guts.not have the guts to do something: · Peg has done all the things I never had the guts to try.be without/lack guts: · Joe's a weak character, without guts or ambition.· She's intelligent enough, but she lacks guts.
to not be brave or confident enough to do something because you think it is too difficult, dangerous or embarrassing: · I'd love to quit my job and go back to college but I don't have the nerve.not have the nerve to do something: · He doesn't have the nerve to tell the boss what he really thinks of her.
to hide your feelings to deliberately not show what you are feeling or thinking: · He hides his real feelings under that big smile.· "That's OK," she said, trying to hide her disappointment.hide something from somebody: · I tried to hide my anxiety from the rest of the family by pretending that everything was normal.
to not show in your face, voice, or movements what you really think or feel: · If she was surprised, she didn't show it.· My husband never shows emotion, so I never know if he's upset.
formal to hide your feelings or intentions especially when you have to make an effort to do this: · Kim could barely conceal her annoyance that I had arrived so late.· I yawned, not bothering to conceal my boredom.conceal something from somebody: · Hawkins was incapable of concealing how he felt from his close friends.
to avoid showing your true feelings or intentions by pretending to feel something else: · Kate gave a cheerful smile, somehow managing to disguise her embarrassment.· "That's great!" she cried, unable to disguise her excitement.· He often masked his feelings of guilt by becoming angry at the people he had wronged.
to not allow yourself to show your feelings, especially if you are angry, worried, or upset - use this especially when you think it would be better for someone to show their feelings so they can be dealt with: bottle something up: · It's not healthy to bottle all your feelings up like that.· The anger that he had bottled up inside him finally exploded.keep something bottled up: · She wanted to cry but she kept it bottled up inside.
formal to not allow yourself to feel or show strong feelings such as anger, sadness, or love, especially when you have difficulty controlling these feelings: · She had had to suppress her feelings for George throughout his long marriage to her friend.· Finally Glen could suppress his anger no longer and he lashed out at his mother.
formal to deliberately stop yourself from having or expressing particular feelings, especially because you are ashamed of them, in a way that may have harmful mental effects: · Individuals who repress their sexual desires often suffer from psychological problems.· Denying or repressing sorrow often seems the easiest way out when confronted with death.
to pretend that you are happy or confident when in fact you are very upset about something but you do not want to show this: · When she lost her job she put on a brave face and said it didn't matter.· Most of his teammates put up a brave front when they talked about his departure.put on a brave face/put up a brave front on: · The speech was given to put a brave face on the president's declining popularity.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY the brave efforts of the medical staff to save his lifeCOLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES He is really quite a sensitive soul.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN
the brave efforts of the medical staff to save his life approving (=one that you admire, but that is unsuccessful)· The previous government made a brave attempt to tackle the problem.· She made a valiant attempt to continue playing, but the pain was too much.
He is really quite a sensitive soul.· A brave attempt, but ruined by the fact that neither of the elements are really up to much.· The success of President Mohammad Khatami's brave attempt to democratize the country hangs in the balance.· A brave attempt, but spoiled by poor execution.· Richard Body has made a brave attempt to shed the mythology and propaganda, and to expose farming objectives to public debate.· It had been a brave attempt and was recognised as such.
· The design of the Clio represented a brave decision.
· The student company makes a brave effort at tackling the multiple roles.· Hers was a brave effort for one who had to be whisked off to hospital on Tuesday after a painful accident.· More recently, the couple made a brave effort to live a normal life for the children.· All her brave effort had been for nothing.· It was poorly and sparsely furnished; a brave effort had been made to keep it tidy and clean.
· With the way she had carried on smiling, stifling the grief, putting on her brave face to the world?· Whether in denial or putting on a brave face, the delegates professed to be unperturbed by those numbers.· She may have put a brave face on it.· No one said a word all of us were consciously putting on a brave face.· She spent the next 18 months putting a brave face on her illness, with lots of loving support from George.· Newspaper staff put on a brave face.· He was shattered, though he put on a brave face.· Leaving the court the families all tried to put on a brave face.
· I did not put up a brave front for Christine.
· We all has to put up with it; you're a brave girl.· He felt a warm liking for the pretty, brave girl.· I thought perhaps ... But you're a brave girl, Elaine.· She is a very brave girl, who is always first on the scene.
· It would be a brave man who would claim that these ideas were unrealistic given the availability of cheap computer power.· Starbuck, however, was a brave man when faced with physical terrors.· He was also a brave man, taking personal risks to comfort the sick during an outbreak of plague.· One company lost many of its bravest men....· He was a brave man and he was soon ashamed of his fear.· The next day they went into battle with the desperate courage of brave men cornered.· The Trojans under Hector fought as brave men fight before the walls of their home.
· This was a brave soldier urging his fellows to acknowledge the slaughter of the Khe San and Da Nang.· The brave soldier was alone but stood his ground after confronting the men in the dead of night.
· Inspired by the Sixties, we asked a few brave souls to take the plunge and dress up like latter-day Twiggys.· A few stalls stood uncovered and some brave souls made their way through the ankle-deep, mucky slush.· A few brave souls danced while others enjoyed a good sing-song.· I refused to sign it and one or two brave souls joined me.· They said he was a brave soul, and an inspirational international leader.
· Well, she would do a brave thing, for once.· What a marvellously brave thing Miss Honey had done.· Perhaps it was dying that was the bravest thing a person could do?· That's the bravest thing I have ever heard of.· So she did a very brave thing.
· Princesse Mathilde was a brave woman.· One brave woman afrer another stood up and bore witness across the Northern Hemisphere.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY
1a)dealing with danger, pain, or difficult situations with courage and confidence SYN courageous: - Today we remember the brave who died defending our country.
- He was shattered, though he put on a brave face.
- I suppose parents have to put on a brave face.
- Leaving the court the families all tried to put on a brave face.
- Meanwhile, Llandundo put on a brave face yesterday and struggled to get back to normal after last week's devastating floods.
- Newspaper staff put on a brave face.
- No one said a word all of us were consciously putting on a brave face.
- Whether in denial or putting on a brave face, the delegates professed to be unperturbed by those numbers.
- In the brave new world of the self-employed, homes should not be confused with offices.
- It was a brave new world-but one which, a week later, came crashing down.
- Opinion polls and focus groups are Stone Age implements in the brave new world of interactivity just down the communications superhighway.
- The ascetic modernists' rejection of history in order to create a visionary brave New World was clearly incompatible with the historic pub.
- This brave new world of social engineering produces the opposite of community contact.
- This is the brave new world of remote work.
- This isn't so much a brave new world, more a retrained version of the old one.
- This may sound like the conventional wisdom on the brave new world of short-term, contingent jobs.
brave soldiers her brave fight against cancerit is brave of somebody (to do something) It was brave of you to speak in front of all those people. b)the brave [plural] brave people: Today we remember the brave who died in the last war.2very good: Despite their captain’s brave performance, Arsenal lost 2–1.brave effort/attempt the brave efforts of the medical staff to save his life3put on a brave face/front to pretend that you are happy when you are really very upset4brave new world a situation or a way of doing something that is new and exciting and meant to improve people’s lives: the brave new world of digital television—bravely adverb: She smiled bravely.THESAURUSbrave showing that you are not afraid to do things that other people find dangerous or difficult: · I think he was incredibly brave to do a parachute jump.· a brave attempt to change the systemcourageous /kəˈreɪdʒəs/ especially written very brave – used especially about someone fighting for what they believe in, or fighting against a disease: · a courageous speech· her courageous fight against cancerdaring brave and willing to take a lot of risks: · a daring escape from a prison camp· a daring fighter pilot· a daring thing to dobold willing to make difficult decisions or say what you think, even though it may involve risks: · It was a bold move to set up his own company.· She was very bold in criticizing the leadership.intrepid written willing to do dangerous things or go to dangerous places: · an intrepid traveller· We sent our intrepid reporter to find out what is happening.adventurous used about someone who enjoys going to new places and doing new, possibly dangerous, things: · More adventurous visitors can go skiing or snowboarding.fearless not afraid of anything or anyone: · a fearless campaigner for human rightsheroic very brave and admired by many people: · heroic rescuers· Despite heroic efforts to save him, he died.plucky brave and determined – often used in newspapers: · Plucky Megan, aged 10, has beaten cancer twice.