to challenge (a person to do something) as proof of courage
2. (can take an infinitive with or without to)
to be courageous enough to try (to do something)
she dares to dress differently from the others
you wouldn't dare!
3. (transitive) rare
to oppose without fear; defy
4. I dare say
noun
5.
a challenge to do something as proof of courage
6.
something done in response to such a challenge
▶ USAGE When used negatively or interrogatively, dare does not usually add -s: he dare not come; dare she come? When used negatively in the past tense, however, dare usually adds -d: he dared not come
Derived forms
darer (ˈdarer)
noun
Word origin
Old English durran; related to Old High German turran to venture