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

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

Examples of bravery in a Sentence

He received a medal for bravery.

children in their Sunday bravery

Recent Examples on the Web

The ship's new namesake, Oscar V. Peterson, was a naval officer who was killed in World War II and posthumously granted a Medal of Honor by Congress for bravery during the war. —Alana Wise, NPR, 27 June 2025

Ideas flowed from product engineers to senior leaders, creating a shared sense of bravery, purpose and camaraderie. —Stephen McKeown, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025

He was wounded twice in combat and received a Purple Heart in recognition of his bravery. —Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025

In a feat of huge bravery, the unnamed man then stuck his fingers in the reptile’s eyes before taking off his life vest, causing the alligator to swim away with the jacket, 7News Miami reported. —Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 23 June 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