Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

brave

/bɹeɪv/

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: 4.33 in modern English

Syllables: brave
IPA: /bɹeɪv/

10

Scrabble Score

5

Letters

1

Syllables

5

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Strong in the face of fear; courageous.

adj

Having any sort of superiority or excellence.

Obsolete

adj

Making a fine show or display.

adj

Foolish or unwise.

British usage

noun

A Native American warrior.

Dated

noun

A man daring beyond discretion; a bully.

Obsolete

noun

A challenge; a defiance; bravado.

Obsolete

verb

To encounter or withstand with courage and fortitude, to defy, to provoke.

Transitive verb

Example Sentences

"For miſerie doth braueſt mindes abate, / And make them ſeeke for that they wont to ſcorne, / Of fortune and of hope at once forlorne."
"Do not fret, dear. You must be brave and strong, and help me through the horrible task. If you only knew what an effort it is to me to tell of this fearful thing at all, you would understand how much I need your help."
"[…]he has been so brave, giving it all a dignity."
"Huntingdon's ferocity makes the reaction of staff all the more brave. To move towards danger when others are fleeing is the definition of bravery in my book. To place yourself in danger to protect others."
"Is it not paſſing braue to be a King, And ride in triumph through Perſepolis?"
"Iron is a brave commodity where wood aboundeth."

Etymology

From Middle French brave, borrowed from Italian bravo, itself of uncertain origin (see there). Doublet of bravo.

Origin

Source language: Middle French

Word Breakdown

Root: brave, bravo, braver

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /bɹeɪv/
British English: /bɹeɪv/

Usage

Inflected Forms

braver (comparative) more brave (comparative) bravest (superlative) most brave (superlative) braves (plural) braves (present, singular) braving (participle, present) braved (participle, past) braved (past)

Derived Forms

braveheart bravehood bravely braven braveness bravesome bravity embrave overbrave superbrave unbrave braver

Phrases

brave as a lion brave new world fortune favors the brave fortune favours the brave put a brave face on put on a brave face stunning and brave brave out

Frequently Paired Words

bravo bravura badass coward courage hero bravado bravery

Synonyms

bold daring doughty orped resilient stalwart plucky courageous adventurous mettlesome aweless bad

Antonyms

cowardly fearful mean weak afraid cautious frightened meek shy timid uncourageous unhearty

Rhymes With

gave save they've wave dave slave grave cave behave shave rave crave

Questions

How do you pronounce brave?: The recorded pronunciation is /bɹeɪv/.
What does brave mean?: Strong in the face of fear; courageous.
Where does brave come from?: It is traced to Middle French.

How to pronounce brave

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “brave”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/bɹeɪv/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “brave”.
Repeat and practice — Say “brave” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.