bold

¹bold

adj \ˈbōld\

Definition of BOLD

1

a : fearless before danger : intrepid b : showing or requiring a fearless daring spirit

2

: impudent, presumptuous

3

obsolete : assured, confident

4

: sheer, steep <bold cliffs>

5

: adventurous, free <a bold thinker>

6

: standing out prominently

7

: being or set in boldface

— bold·ly \ˈbōl(d)-lē\ adverb

— bold·ness \ˈbōl(d)-nəs\ noun

Examples of BOLD

1. Few politicians have been bold enough to oppose the plan to cut taxes.
2. It's a bold plan that might fail.
3. Hiring a novice was a bold move.
4. He punished the bold child for talking back.
5. I'd like to offer a few criticisms, if I may be so bold.
6. She wore a dress with bold stripes.
7. The painting is done in bold colors.

Origin of BOLD

Middle English, from Old English beald; akin to Old High German bald bold

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to BOLD

Synonyms: adventuresome, adventurous, audacious, daring, dashing, emboldened, enterprising, free-swinging, gutsy, hardy, nerved, nervy, venturesome, venturous

Antonyms: unadventurous, unenterprising

Related Words: brash, daredevil, foolhardy, heedless, hotheaded, impetuous, imprudent, impulsive, incautious, madcap, overbold, overconfident, rash, reckless, thoughtless, wild; brave, courageous, dauntless, fearless, gallant, greathearted, heroic (also heroical), intrepid, lionhearted, stalwart, stout, stouthearted, swashbuckling, unafraid, undaunted, valiant, valorous; gritty, plucky, spirited, spunky; gadarene, hasty, headlong, precipitate; absurd, asinine, balmy, brainless, crazy, foolish, half-witted, harebrained, insane, lunatic, mad, nutty, scatterbrained, silly, wacky (also whacky), witless; unnecessary; dumb, idiotic (also idiotical), moronic, stupid; irrational, unreasonable

Near Antonyms: chickenhearted, coward, cowardly, craven, lily-livered, milk-livered, milky, poltroon, pusillanimous, shy, timid, timorous; careful, cautious, heedful, prudent, wary; overcareful, overcautious; affrighted, afraid, alarmed, fainthearted, fearful, frightened, horrified, scared, shocked, spooked, startled, terrified, terrorized; unnerved; calm, cool, levelheaded, rational, reasonable, sage, sane, sensible, sound, wise; appalled, concerned, dismayed, upset, worried

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Rhymes with BOLD

bowled, cold, fold, gold, hold, mold, old, polled, scold, soled, souled, wold