bravado

noun

bra·​va·​do brə-ˈvä-(ˌ)dō 

plural bravadoes or bravados

1

a

: blustering swaggering conduct

youthful bravado

b

: a pretense of bravery

2

: the quality or state of being foolhardy

Did you know?

Displays of bravado may be show-offish, daring, reckless, and inconsistent with good sense—take, for example, the spectacular feats of stuntpeople—but when successful, they are still likely to be met with shouts of "bravo!" Celebrities, political leaders, corporate giants, and schoolyard bullies, however, may show a different flavor of bravado: one that suggests an overbearing boldness that comes from arrogance or from being in a position of power. The word bravado originally comes from the Italian adjective bravo, meaning "wild" or "courageous," which English can also thank for the more common brave.

Examples of bravado in a Sentence

His stories are always told with bravado.

I remember his youthful bravado.

Recent Examples on the Web

The butterflies are still there, along with the desire, vulnerability, bravado and jokes. — Desjah Altvater, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

His bravado in attacking opponents’ campaign donors has earned him the moniker Meek Mill, likening his attacks to the rapper’s’ spitfire energy fueled from his time as a battle rapper. — Miami Herald, 12 Aug. 2026

Despite the bravado expressed by top officials, anxiety about the economy persists after high inflation and a currency crash sparked nationwide protests that were put down by a brutal crackdown in January. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026

El-Sayed, who is both fluid and charming, also shows flashes of bravado and hauteur, particularly directed against his opponents. — David Remnick, New Yorker, 31 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle French bravade & Old Spanish bravata, from Old Italian bravata, from bravare to challenge, show off, from bravo

First Known Use

circa 1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for bravado

• machado
• mikado
• adelantado
• avocado
• desperado
• incommunicado

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Kids Definition

bravado

noun

bra·​va·​do brə-ˈväd-ō 

plural bravadoes or bravados

: a display of reckless or pretended bravery