courageous

adjective

cou·​ra·​geous kə-ˈrā-jəs 

: having or characterized by courage : brave

a courageous soldier

a courageous decision

courageously adverb

courageousness noun

Synonyms of courageous

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

Examples of courageous in a Sentence

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

The creators were determined to portray their senior characters as courageous protagonists rather than comic relief. —Dana Feldman, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026

McCain with his courageous drives, Jaylin Williams hit timely 3s. —John Hollinger, New York Times, 24 May 2026

Will the descendants of the Allies who bravely fought alongside our courageous troops come to the aid of American democracy in 2028? —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 23 May 2026

Sober, almost austere, courageous under fire but famously reluctant to disclose his thinking, the admiral was a master of gunnery, signaling and the handling of ships under sail. —Nick Bunker, Washington Post, 22 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

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