bravura

1 of 2

noun

bra·​vu·​ra brə-ˈvyu̇r-ə 

brä-,

-ˈvu̇r-

1

music : a musical passage requiring exceptional agility and technical skill in execution

2

: a florid brilliant style

3

: a show of daring or brilliance

bravura

2 of 2

adjective

1

: marked by a dazzling display of skill

a bravura performance

2

: ornate, showy

bravura prose

Synonyms

Adjective

• adroit
• artful
• deft
• delicate
• dexterous
• dextrous
• expert
• masterful
• masterly
• practiced
• practised
• skillful
• virtuoso
• workmanlike

Examples of bravura in a Sentence

Adjective

a truly bravura performance of the ballet that brought the crowd to its feet

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In this bit of bravura filmmaking, Nichols demonstrates a slick style and rhythmic musicality that instantly draws us into this world. —Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2024

The scene where Hughes crash-lands through Beverly Hills remains jaw-dropping, but Scorsese’s grandeur and bravura action sequences never take away from the focus on the proud, doomed man at its center. —Will Leitch, Vulture, 8 Mar. 2024

Adjective

Sanders, on the other hand — in the most outrageously, satisfyingly bravura role of his career — doubles down on the stereotype. —Peter Marks, Washington Post, 28 Sep. 2023

Its most bravura trick is rooted less in a display of mastery than one of vulnerability. —Jason Zinoman, New York Times, 28 June 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Italian, literally, bravery, from bravare to show off — more at bravado

Adjective

adjective derivative of bravura entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1757, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1920, in the meaning defined at sense 1