bravery

noun

brav·​ery ˈbrā-və-rē 

ˈbrāv-

plural braveries

1

: the quality or state of having or showing mental or moral strength to face danger, fear, or difficulty : the quality or state of being brave : courage

showing bravery under fire

2

a

: fine clothes

wearing their Sunday bravery

b

: showy display

… the streets strewed with flowers and full of pageantry, banners, and bravery.

—John Evelyn

Synonyms

• array
• best
• caparison
• feather
• finery
• frippery
• full dress
• gaiety
• gayety
• glad rags
• regalia

Examples of bravery in a Sentence

He received a medal for bravery.

children in their Sunday bravery

Recent Examples on the Web

These outings have more to do with group bonding and proof of bravery than the supernatural. —Elizabeth Friend, Longreads, 29 Oct. 2024

Images of their odyssey were captured by Palestinian journalist Alaa Hamouda, with Qamar drawing praise for her bravery in a snapshot of the daily reality facing many Palestinians in the enclave. —Freddie Clayton, NBC News, 28 Oct. 2024

The lake is clean, clear, and swimmable all year round, though the water temperature outside of the height of summer requires a bit of bravery. —Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 10 Oct. 2024

And that gave me this voice of bravery to bring Sicarú to life and not only tell my story but also tell their stories, the stories of my sisters. —Juan Velasquez, Them, 9 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French braverie "bravado, challenge, audacity," from braver "to challenge, flout, brave entry 2" + -erie -ery

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

bravery

noun

brav·​ery ˈbrāv-(ə-)rē 

plural braveries

1

: the quality or state of being brave : fearlessness

2

a

: fine clothes

b

: impressive or showy display