brave
A brave person is someone who is not afraid to do something difficult or dangerous.
Explanation at your level:
Being brave means you are not afraid. If you see a big dog and you are not scared, you are brave. You can be brave when you try new things, like riding a bike for the first time. It is a very good word to use for heroes.
A brave person shows courage. When you face something difficult, like a test or a scary situation, and you do not run away, you are being brave. It is a common word we use to describe people who help others or stand up for what is right.
To be brave is to act in a way that shows strength when you feel afraid. It is not just about physical danger; it is also about moral courage. For example, telling the truth when it is hard is a very brave thing to do. We often use it to describe people who face challenges with dignity.
The adjective brave implies a conscious choice to confront adversity. It is often used in collocations like 'a brave attempt' or 'to put on a brave face.' While it is a positive term, context matters—sometimes being 'brave' can also imply taking a risk that might not succeed, but is honored for its boldness.
In advanced usage, brave transcends simple fearlessness. It denotes a profound moral fortitude, often in the face of systemic pressure or existential threat. We might describe a 'brave new world' or a 'brave stance against corruption.' It is frequently used in literary contexts to contrast internal vulnerability with external resolve, highlighting the complexity of the human spirit.
At the mastery level, brave is nuanced by its etymological history of 'splendor' versus 'courage.' It can be used ironically to describe a 'brave' mistake that was actually foolish, or to describe a stoic acceptance of fate. Its usage reflects a deep cultural appreciation for the tension between fear and action, often appearing in philosophical discourse regarding the nature of virtue and the necessity of risk in a meaningful life.
واژه در 30 ثانیه
- Means having courage.
- Used for people and actions.
- Comparative is braver.
- Can also be a verb.
When we call someone brave, we are describing their character. It is not about the absence of fear, but rather the ability to act in spite of it. Whether it is a firefighter running into a burning building or a student standing up to a bully, the core trait is courage.
You can use this word to describe actions, like a brave decision, or people, like a brave soldier. It is a highly positive attribute that suggests inner strength and resilience. It is a word that commands respect because it acknowledges that the person had to overcome a personal hurdle to do the right thing.
The word brave has a fascinating journey through languages. It likely comes from the Middle French word brave, which meant 'splendid' or 'fine.' Going back further, it may have roots in the Italian bravo, which meant 'wild' or 'courageous.'
Interestingly, in the 16th century, it was often used to describe someone who was 'showy' or 'finely dressed.' Over time, the meaning shifted from the outward appearance of being bold to the inward quality of having moral strength. It is a great example of how a word can evolve from describing fashion to describing a hero's heart!
In daily life, brave is used to praise someone's actions. You might say, 'That was a very brave thing to do.' It is common in both casual conversation and formal speeches.
Common collocations include brave attempt, brave face, and brave soul. When you use it, you are usually highlighting a positive struggle. It is a versatile adjective that fits well in almost any register, from telling a story to a friend to writing a formal essay about historical figures.
Idioms help us express bravery in more colorful ways. 1. Put on a brave face: To act as if you are not upset even when you are. 2. Take the bull by the horns: To deal with a difficult situation directly. 3. Lionhearted: Having great courage. 4. Brave the elements: To go outside in bad weather. 5. Fortune favors the brave: A classic proverb meaning those who take risks are often rewarded.
Brave is a simple adjective. It follows standard rules, taking the comparative braver and superlative bravest. It is pronounced /breɪv/ in both British and American English, rhyming with 'cave', 'save', and 'wave'.
The stress is on the single syllable, making it punchy and clear. Remember that it is an adjective, so it usually comes before a noun or after a linking verb like 'is' or 'seems'.
Fun Fact
It used to mean someone who dressed very fancy!
Pronunciation Guide
Long 'a' sound like in 'say'.
Clear 'v' sound at the end.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing it like 'brav'
- Missing the long 'a' sound
- Adding extra syllables
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
easy
moderate
moderate
easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
پیشرفته
Grammar to Know
Adjective placement
The brave dog.
Comparative adjectives
Braver.
Linking verbs
He is brave.
Examples by Level
The brave boy helped the cat.
brave = not scared
adjective before noun
She is a brave girl.
brave = strong
simple sentence
Be brave at school!
brave = be strong
imperative
The brave dog barked.
brave = not afraid
adjective+noun
You are very brave.
brave = courageous
linking verb
He is a brave hero.
brave = heroic
adjective+noun
It is a brave choice.
brave = bold
simple structure
I want to be brave.
brave = courageous
verb+to be
She was brave during the storm.
The brave soldier protected the village.
It takes a brave person to admit a mistake.
He made a brave attempt to win the race.
Don't be afraid, be brave!
The brave firefighters saved the house.
She felt brave after the talk.
A brave choice can change your life.
He put on a brave face despite the sad news.
It was a brave decision to quit her job and travel.
The team made a brave effort to come back from behind.
She is brave enough to speak her mind in meetings.
The brave explorers crossed the frozen lake.
Facing your fears is the first step to being brave.
He was brave to stand up to the bullies.
They showed brave leadership during the crisis.
The company made a brave move by entering the new market.
She gave a brave performance despite being ill.
His brave stance on the issue earned him much respect.
It was a brave new world for the graduates.
The journalist took a brave approach to the investigation.
She showed brave resilience in the face of failure.
Many consider him to be the bravest man in the city.
The brave decision to innovate saved the business.
Her brave defiance of the status quo inspired a movement.
The novel explores the brave vulnerability of its protagonist.
It was a brave, if ultimately futile, attempt to save the building.
He took a brave step into the unknown.
The policy required a brave commitment to long-term goals.
She maintained a brave composure during the cross-examination.
The artist's brave use of color challenged conventional norms.
It is a brave interpretation of a classic text.
The memoir is a brave exploration of personal trauma.
His brave disregard for public opinion was both his strength and his flaw.
The architect made a brave choice in the building's design.
She displayed a brave stoicism in the face of tragedy.
The film is a brave critique of modern society.
It was a brave, almost reckless, gamble on the future.
He showed a brave indifference to the critics.
The project represents a brave departure from tradition.
ترکیبهای رایج
Idioms & Expressions
"put on a brave face"
hide your feelings
She put on a brave face at the party.
neutral"fortune favors the brave"
taking risks helps you win
He quit his job; fortune favors the brave.
formal"brave the elements"
go out in bad weather
We had to brave the elements to get home.
neutral"lionhearted"
very brave
The lionhearted captain saved the crew.
literary"take the bull by the horns"
deal with a hard task
He decided to take the bull by the horns.
neutralEasily Confused
similar meaning
bold is about confidence, brave is about fear
He was bold to ask for a raise.
synonym
courageous is more formal
A courageous act.
similar
heroic is about grand actions
A heroic rescue.
similar
fearless means no fear exists
A fearless athlete.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + is + brave
He is brave.
It is brave to + verb
It is brave to speak up.
Subject + is + brave enough to + verb
She is brave enough to go.
Subject + braved + the + noun
They braved the storm.
A + brave + noun
A brave soldier.
خانواده کلمه
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
مرتبط
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
اشتباهات رایج
Bravely is an adverb.
This is correct, but 'brave enough to do' is better.
Braver is preferred for one-syllable adjectives.
Always use a subject.
Use the superlative form.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a lion in your room.
Native Speakers
Use it to compliment friends.
Cultural Insight
Heroes are always 'brave'.
Grammar Shortcut
Brave + noun.
Say It Right
Long 'a' is key.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use 'bravely' as an adjective.
Did You Know?
It meant 'fancy' before.
Study Smart
Use it in a story.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Brave: Be Really Active, Very Energetic.
Visual Association
A lion standing tall.
Word Web
چالش
Write three sentences about a brave person you know.
ریشه کلمه
French/Italian
Original meaning: Fine, splendid, wild
بافت فرهنگی
None
Used often in stories and movies to describe heroes.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at school
- brave student
- brave answer
- brave choice
at work
- brave decision
- brave leadership
- brave strategy
travel
- brave the weather
- brave the journey
- brave explorer
sports
- brave attempt
- brave effort
- brave performance
Conversation Starters
"Who is the bravest person you know?"
"Have you ever had to be brave?"
"What is a brave thing to do?"
"Do you think it is easy to be brave?"
"When was the last time you felt brave?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you were brave.
Describe a character who is very brave.
Why is being brave important?
What does bravery mean to you?
سوالات متداول
8 سوالYes, it can be a verb meaning to face something, e.g., 'we braved the cold'.
Bravery.
Braver.
Yes, almost always.
Yes, a brave dog.
It is neutral.
Acting like you are not sad.
You can, but 'braver' is better.
خودت رو بسنج
The ___ knight saved the princess.
Brave fits the hero context.
Which of these means the same as brave?
Courageous is a synonym.
You can be brave even if you feel afraid.
Bravery is acting despite fear.
Word
معنی
Matching synonyms.
Subject-verb-adverb-adjective order.
امتیاز: /5
Summary
Brave means having the strength to face fear and do the right thing.
- Means having courage.
- Used for people and actions.
- Comparative is braver.
- Can also be a verb.
Memory Palace
Imagine a lion in your room.
Native Speakers
Use it to compliment friends.
Cultural Insight
Heroes are always 'brave'.
Grammar Shortcut
Brave + noun.
مثال
It was very brave of her to admit her mistake in front of the whole class.
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آن را در متن یاد بگیرید
این کلمه در زبانهای دیگر
عبارات مرتبط
واژههای بیشتر Emotions
abanimfy
C1A collective psychological state characterized by a profound loss of vitality, spirit, or motivation within a specific group or community. It describes the stagnation that occurs when a social structure or organization loses its shared sense of purpose and creative energy.
abanimize
C1یعنی اینکه احساسات رو از یه موقعیت دور کنی تا بتونی با دید بازتر و عینیتر بهش فکر کنی.
abhor
C1احساس نفرت یا بیزاریِ خیلی عمیق نسبت به یه چیز. وقتی از نظر اخلاقی یا احساسی از چیزی خیلی بدت میاد، از این کلمه استفاده میکنی.
abminity
C1To regard something with intense loathing or extreme disgust; to treat an object or idea as an abomination. It is used in high-level contexts to describe a profound moral or aesthetic aversion toward an action or concept.
abmotine
C1Describes a state of being emotionally detached or lacking intrinsic motivation, often characterized by a cold, clinical, or indifferent stance. It is used to denote a specific lack of movement or response to external emotional stimuli.
abominable
C1Causing a feeling of hatred or disgust; very unpleasant or disagreeable. It often describes something morally repulsive or extremely bad in quality.
abphilous
C1To consciously withdraw or distance oneself from a previous affinity, attraction, or emotional attachment. It involves a systematic effort to break a psychological bond in order to achieve a state of neutrality or objectivity.
absedhood
C1«absedhood» حالتیه که آدم از محیط اطرافش یا مسئولیتهای اجتماعیش خیلی فاصله گرفته و از نظر احساسی کنار کشیده. یه جور تنهایی شدید و اغلب خودخواسته است.
abvidness
C1The quality or state of being intensely eager, enthusiastic, or consumed by a particular interest or desire. It represents a level of dedication and spirited engagement that often goes beyond standard enthusiasm, typical of scholars, collectors, or hobbyists.
adacrty
C1Alacrity refers to a cheerful readiness, promptness, or willingness to do something. It describes not only the speed of an action but also the positive and enthusiastic attitude of the person performing it.