bravery

noun

brav·​ery ˈbrā-və-rē 

ˈbrāv-

plural braveries

1

: the quality or state of having or showing mental or moral strength to face danger, fear, or difficulty : the quality or state of being brave : courage

showing bravery under fire

2

a

: fine clothes

wearing their Sunday bravery

b

: showy display

… the streets strewed with flowers and full of pageantry, banners, and bravery.

—John Evelyn

Synonyms of bravery

• attire
• finery
• costume
• best bib and tucker
• best
• gaiety
• regalia
• full dress
• glad rags
• frippery
• apparel

Examples of bravery in a Sentence

He received a medal for bravery.

children in their Sunday bravery

Recent Examples on the Web

For Alice, that means finding the bravery to leave her community for college, and for Jimmy, that means dipping his toes into the dating pool again. —Ashley Boucher, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Dec. 2025

SpongeBob and his Bikini Bottom friends are still up to their light-hearted shenanigans, but the movie also doesn’t shy away from lessons on finding bravery and fortitude. —Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 19 Dec. 2025

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New South Wales Premier Chris Minns visited Ahmed in the hospital to commend his bravery. —Connor Greene, Time, 19 Dec. 2025

More stories of bravery and herosim In a Wednesday update, New South Wales Health said 21 people injured in the shooting remain hospitalized, with one in critical condition and four others critical but stable. —Helen Regan, CNN Money, 17 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French braverie "bravado, challenge, audacity," from braver "to challenge, flout, brave entry 2" + -erie -ery

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for bravery

• knavery
• savory
• slavery
• antislavery
• proslavery
• unsavory

Kids Definition

bravery

noun

brav·​ery ˈbrāv-(ə-)rē 

plural braveries

1

: the quality or state of being brave : fearlessness

2

a

: fine clothes

b

: impressive or showy display