dare

1 of 3

verb

ˈder 

dared; daring; dares or (auxiliary) dare

auxiliary verb

: to be sufficiently courageous to

no one dared say a word

she dare not let herself love

—G. B. Shaw

intransitive verb

: to have sufficient courage

try it if you dare

transitive verb

1

a

: to challenge to perform an action especially as a proof of courage

dared him to jump

b

: to confront boldly : defy

dared the anger of his family

2

: to have the courage to contend against, venture, or try

the actress dared a new interpretation of the classic role

darer

ˈder-ər 

noun

dare

2 of 3

noun

1

: an act or instance of daring (see dare entry 1 sense 1) : challenge

crossed the river on a dare

refused to take the dare

2

: imaginative or vivacious boldness : daring

DARE

3 of 3

abbreviation

Dictionary of American Regional English

Synonyms

Verb

• challenge
• defy
• stump

Examples of dare in a Sentence

Verb

Try it if you dare.

We wanted to laugh but didn't dare.

The actress dared a new interpretation of the classic role.

She dared him to dive off the bridge.

She dared me to ask him out on a date. I did, and he said yes.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

There are also five other candidates, including some current or former officeholders, vying for the nomination in the 4th District — something serious politicians typically don't dare to do against an incumbent. —Kaleigh Rogers, ABC News, 10 May 2024

Wake Me Most Wickedly is an outright invigorating yarn, a tale of back alley wheeling and dealing and daring rooftop escapes. —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 9 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English dar (1st & 3rd singular present indicative), from Old English dear; akin to Old High German gitar (1st & 3rd singular present indicative) dare, Greek tharsos courage

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense

Noun

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing dare

• don't you dare
• for a dare
• how dare (someone)
• I dare say
• on a dare

Kids Definition

dare

1 of 2 verb

ˈda(ə)r 

ˈde(ə)r

dared; daring

1

a

: to have enough courage : be bold enough to

try it if you dare

b

—used as a helping verb

no one dared say a word

2

: to challenge to perform an action especially as a proof of courage

I dare you

3

: to face boldly

dared the dangerous crossing

dare

2 of 2 noun

: an act or instance of daring : challenge

dived from the bridge on a dare

Biographical Definition

Dare

biographical name

ˈder 

Virginia 1587–? 1st child born in America of English parents