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

Marks will be given to chart all manner of qualities and characteristics such as ball control, passing, heading, vision, movement, strength, bravery, leadership. —Philip Buckingham, The Athletic, 20 Jan. 2025

Working on Lynch’s set required a level of bravery that the shy girl from Chicago had not drawn on before. —Andy Hazel, IndieWire, 16 Jan. 2025

Cam Newton may have been a star on the football field, but the former NFL player is proving his bravery and fitness in other arenas on season 3 of Special Forces: World's Toughest Test. —Clare Fisher, People.com, 13 Jan. 2025

The courage and bravery of our firefighters and first responders prove that real-life heroes live among us. —Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Jan. 2025

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