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

The hazardous lives of urban birds: Ian Frazier on the bravery of pigeons living outside the law. —The New Yorker, New Yorker, 5 May 2025

Mixed in with small pleasures and petty disputes with her older sister are true feats of survival and bravery. —Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 2 May 2025

Even so, Politkovskaya’s bravery, and Peake’s commitment to honoring it, is enough. —Ben Kenigsberg, New York Times, 1 May 2025

Of course, the entrepreneurial spirit is very much centered on bravery and creativity in the face of risk. —Ryan Weissmueller, Forbes.com, 1 May 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

Rhymes for bravery

• knavery
• savory
• slavery
• antislavery
• proslavery
• unsavory

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