daredevil

1 of 2

adjective

dare·​dev·​il ˈder-ˌde-vᵊl 

: recklessly and often ostentatiously daring

daredevil

2 of 2

noun

: a recklessly bold person

daredevilry

ˈder-ˌde-vᵊl-rē 

noun

daredeviltry

ˈder-ˌde-vᵊl-trē 

noun

Synonyms

Adjective

• audacious
• brash
• foolhardy
• madcap
• overbold
• overconfident
• reckless
• temerarious

Noun

• devil
• madcap
• madman

Choose the Right Synonym for daredevil

adventurous, venturesome, daring, daredevil, rash, reckless, foolhardy mean exposing oneself to danger more than required by good sense.

adventurous implies a willingness to accept risks but not necessarily imprudence.

adventurous pioneers

venturesome implies a jaunty eagerness for perilous undertakings.

venturesome stunt pilots

daring implies fearlessness in courting danger.

daring mountain climbers

daredevil stresses ostentation in daring.

daredevil motorcyclists

rash suggests imprudence and lack of forethought.

a rash decision

reckless implies heedlessness of probable consequences.

a reckless driver

foolhardy suggests a recklessness that is inconsistent with good sense.

the foolhardy sailor ventured into the storm

Examples of daredevil in a Sentence

Adjective

his daredevil stunts are sure to end in disaster someday

a daredevil driver who thinks that drag racing on city streets is a harmless game

Noun

He has always been a bit of a daredevil.

that little daredevil has broken an arm and an ankle this year alone

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Due to his high-flying, daredevil move set and unique presentation, Hardy became one of the most popular WWE Superstars of the 2000s. —Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025

In 1910, a quarter of a million people had spent 10 days swooning over the Los Angeles International Aviation Meet — the nation’s first daredevil airshow. —Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2024

Noun

Now social media has attracted a new generation of daredevils. —Matthew Haag, New York Times, 23 Dec. 2024

Some 900 attendees stare, rapt, as the daredevils loop and arc on their bikes, the wheels illuminated. —Gina Ryder, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1727, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1794, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

daredevil

noun

dare·​dev·​il

ˈda(ə)r-ˌdev-əl,

ˈde(ə)r-

: a recklessly bold person

daredevil adjective