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

To tell your story to a journalist in such excruciating detail requires a confounding mix of blind faith, bravery, trust and total self-disregard. —Sarah A. Topol, New York Times, 20 Sep. 2024

The history of sickle cell is a tale of bravery and agony, effort and neglect, that mirrors the history of the Black experience in America. —Maryn McKenna, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2024

Part of the draw is that wild west baby names evoke all that cowboys—and cowgirls—stand for such as adventure, loyalty, bravery, and more. —Sherri Gordon, Clc, Parents, 15 Sep. 2024

There’s bravery in a film that’s not afraid to commit to being ugly. —Jourdain Searles, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Sep. 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