braver; bravest
1
: having or showing mental or moral strength to face danger, fear, or difficulty : having or showing courage
a brave soldier
a brave smile
2
: making a fine show : colorful
brave banners flying in the wind
bravely
adverb
braved; braving
1
: to face or endure with courage
braved the rush-hour traffic to get there
braving the elements
2
obsolete
: to make showy
archaic
: to show courage : to make a brave show
braver
noun
1
[in part borrowed from French, noun derivative of brave brave entry 1]
: one with mental or moral strength to face danger, fear, or difficulty : one who is brave (see brave entry 1)
… none but the brave deserves the fair.—
John Dryden
John Dryden
specifically
: an American Indian warrior
2
archaic
: bravado
Synonyms
Examples of brave in a Sentence
Adjective
She gave us a brave smile.
He lost his brave fight against the disease.
Verb
Thousands of fans braved rush-hour traffic to see the concert.
a soldier who braved enemy fire to rescue her wounded comrade
Recent Examples on the WebCorky Carroll, Orange County Register, 17 May 2024
Although many of the week’s events are dedicated to celebrating officers’ brave actions, somber ceremonies are set aside to remember law enforcement personnel who paid the ultimate price in the past year.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for brave 
Adjective
The action at the Wedge started in the 1950s with the advent of swim fins and a handful of brave, maybe a tad loco, souls who loved bodysurfing more than any other form of wave riding.
—Corky Carroll, Orange County Register, 17 May 2024
Although many of the week’s events are dedicated to celebrating officers’ brave actions, somber ceremonies are set aside to remember law enforcement personnel who paid the ultimate price in the past year.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for brave
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'brave.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near brave
Cite this Entry
“Brave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brave. Accessed 24 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
brave
1 of 3 adjective1
: feeling or displaying no fear : courageous
2
: making a fine show : splendid
brave banners flying in the wind
bravely
adverb
brave
2 of 3 verb
braved; braving
: to face or bear with courage
pioneers who braved the dangers of the frontier
brave
3 of 3 noun
: one who is brave
especially
: a warrior of an Indigenous people of North America
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