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

This Juneteenth, my prayer is that the Governor’s Blue-Ribbon Commission will present courageous recommendations. —Dr. Andraé Townsel, Hartford Courant, 16 June 2026

Coscia and Hook were two of the 36 individuals recognized on Friday at the state’s annual State Employee Medal of Valor Ceremony for taking courageous action in life-or-death situations. —William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 13 June 2026

Kevin Costner and Robert De Niro dazzle as the two historical figures, but Sean Connery is the heart of the movie, playing courageous and upright agent James Malone, whose death gives Ness all the more reason to topple Capone's liquor empire. —Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026

Our courage will inspire others to be courageous. —Samuel O’Neal 9, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 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