bravo

1 of 4

noun (1)

bra·​vo ˈbrä-(ˌ)vō How to pronounce bravo (audio)
plural bravos or bravoes
: villain, desperado
especially : a hired assassin

bravo

2 of 4

noun (2)

bra·​vo ˈbrä-(ˌ)vō How to pronounce bravo (audio)
brä-ˈvō
plural bravos
: a shout of approval
often used interjectionally in applauding a performance

bravo

3 of 4

verb

bra·​vo ˈbrä-(ˌ)vō How to pronounce bravo (audio)
brä-ˈvō
bravoed; bravoing

transitive verb

: to applaud by shouts of bravo

Bravo

4 of 4

communications code word

Bra·​vo ˈbrä-(ˌ)vō How to pronounce Bravo (audio)
used as a code word for the letter b

Examples of bravo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Gay caught wind of Cosby's remarks and spoke out on a post from the bravo by betches Instagram account featuring a clip of the WWHL moment. Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 11 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bravo.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Italian, from bravo brave

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1600, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1806, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1732, in the meaning defined above

Communications Code Word

1952, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bravo was in 1600

Dictionary Entries Near bravo

Cite this Entry

“Bravo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bravo. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

bravo

1 of 2 noun
bra·​vo ˈbräv-ō How to pronounce bravo (audio)
plural bravos or bravoes
: villain sense 2, desperado
especially : a hired assassin

bravo

2 of 2 noun
bra·​vo ˈbräv-ō How to pronounce bravo (audio)
brä-ˈvō
plural bravos
: a shout of approval
often used to applaud a performance

More from Merriam-Webster on bravo

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