courageous

1 of 2

adjective

cou·​ra·​geous kə-ˈrā-jəs 

: having or characterized by courage : brave

a courageous soldier

a courageous decision

courageously adverb

courageousness noun

courageousness

2 of 2

noun

cou·​ra·​geous·​ness

kə-ˈrā-jəs-nəs

plural -es

: the quality or state of being courageous

Synonyms of courageous

Adjective

• brave
• fearless
• valiant
• heroic
• gallant
• bold

Examples of courageous in a Sentence

Adjective

She was a courageous woman who wasn't afraid to support unpopular causes.

the courageous decision to quit rather than obey an illegal order

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Later, as the Moon enters Aries, small courageous steps help restore focus. — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 6 July 2026

And courageous leadership looks like putting the human before the tasks and owning our missteps while working to make things right. — Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026

This courageous woman fought tirelessly for justice and equality. — Literary Hub, 26 June 2026

In another less courageous version, Carmy would simply learn to delegate and calm down rather than admit there was no healthy way forward for him at the Bear. — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English corageous, borrowed from Anglo-French corajus, from corage courage + -us, -ous -ous

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for courageous

• advantageous
• contagious
• outrageous
• disadvantageous

Kids Definition

courageous

adjective

cou·​ra·​geous kə-ˈrā-jəs 

: having or marked by courage : brave

courageously adverb

courageousness noun