bold

1 of 2

adjective

ˈbōld 

bolder; boldest

1

a

: fearless before danger : intrepid

Bold settlers on some foreign shore …

—William Wordsworth

b

: showing or requiring a fearless daring spirit

a bold plan

2

: impudent, presumptuous

punishing a bold child for talking back

If I may be so bold, I'd like to make a few suggestions.

3

obsolete : assured, confident

4

: sheer, steep

bold cliffs

5

: adventurous, free

a bold thinker

6

: standing out prominently

bold headlines

dressed in bold colors/patterns

often, of food : strong and distinctive : assertive sense 2

bold flavors

bolder spices like cinnamon and clove

7

: being or set in boldface

bold lettering

boldly

ˈbōl(d)-lē 

adverb

boldness

ˈbōl(d)-nəs 

noun

bold

2 of 2

noun

: boldface

printed in bold

Synonyms

Adjective

• adventuresome
• adventurous
• audacious
• daring
• dashing
• emboldened
• enterprising
• free-swinging
• gutsy
• hardy
• nerved
• nervy
• venturesome
• venturous

Examples of bold in a Sentence

Adjective

Few politicians have been bold enough to oppose the plan to cut taxes.

It's a bold plan that might fail.

Hiring a novice was a bold move.

He punished the bold child for talking back.

I'd like to offer a few criticisms, if I may be so bold.

She wore a dress with bold stripes.

The painting is done in bold colors.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Zadeh believes the Middle East, known for its love of bold makeup, is ripe for Kosas’ promise of delivering high performance makeup that improves skin. —Ritu Upadhyay, WWD, 13 Sep. 2024

In a bold move that promises to reshape the in-flight experience, United Airlines has partnered with SpaceX’s Starlink to offer passengers free high-speed internet access on their flights. —Roger Dooley, Forbes, 13 Sep. 2024

Noun

The lightening bold struck the ground next to the group, and approximately 50 of them felt the shock of it, police said. —Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 28 June 2024

These design geniuses expertly wield hues from the bold to the barely there to create unforgettable spaces that set a mood. —Eleni N. Gage, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

Middle English, from Old English beald; akin to Old High German bald bold

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

circa 1871, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing bold

• (as) bold as brass
• be/make so bold
• bold-faced
• make bold

Kids Definition

bold

adjective

ˈbōld

1

a

: willing to meet danger or take risks : daring

b

: showing daring spirit

a bold plan

2

: impudent, saucy

3

: steep entry 1 sense 1

bold cliffs

4

: standing out in a very noticeable way : conspicuous

bold colors

5

: being or set in boldface

bold letters

boldly

ˈbōl-(d)lē

adverb

boldness

ˈbōl(d)-nəs

noun

Medical Definition

BOLD

abbreviation

blood oxygenation level-dependent; blood oxygen level-dependent

Note: BOLD is used to describe imaging signals and methods that measure changes in the magnetic properties of hemoglobin accompanying changes in blood oxygen levels. BOLD functional magnetic resonance imaging is dependent on oxygen levels and is used especially in the study of brain function to produce images showing blood flow indicative of neural activity.