bravura

bra·vu·ra | \ brə-ˈvyu̇r-ə

How to pronounce bravura (audio)

, brä-, -ˈvu̇r- \

Definition of bravura

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 music : a musical passage requiring exceptional agility and technical skill in execution

2 : a florid brilliant style

3 : a show of daring or brilliance

bravura

Definition of bravura (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : marked by a dazzling display of skill a bravura performance

2 : ornate, showy bravura prose

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Examples of bravura in a Sentence

Adjective a truly bravura performance of the ballet that brought the crowd to its feet

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Renée Zellweger, who grew up in Katy, Texas, as the daughter of European immigrants, captured her second Oscar on Sunday night, this time as best actress for her bravura star turn in Judy, about the troubled life of musical legend Judy Garland. — Michael Granberry, Dallas News, "Renée Zellweger captures an Oscar for ‘Judy,’ becoming the third Texan to be awarded best actress," 10 Feb. 2020 But, as the film goes on, its bravura moments go increasingly to Driver: while Nicole finds stability, Charlie falls apart (and sings a Sondheim showstopper). — Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, "Oscars 2020 Spotlight: The Actresses," 3 Feb. 2020 The audience, especially a young, wide-eyed couple visiting from England, revels in Newton’s campy bravura performance. — Hilary Hughes, Billboard, "Rat Pack to Fame Monster: The Rise, Fall and Lucrative Rebirth of the Las Vegas Residency," 28 Jan. 2020 In a bravura opening sequence, Wick utilizes every tool at his disposal to slow down his pursuers, weaponizing the likes of a library book, a belt, and a horse to make his eventual escape. — Isaac Feldberg, Fortune, "What to watch (and skip) in theaters and on Netflix this weekend," 24 Jan. 2020 Zellweger matches it in her own way, through hair and makeup but mostly by channeling a kind of terrified bravura that’s riveting to watch. — BostonGlobe.com, "In ‘Judy,’ Renée Zellweger is Judy Garland - The Boston Globe," 26 Sep. 2019 Will win: The Eddie Murphy comeback narrative feels strong, though Taron could pull a Bohemian Rhapsody redux for his bravura Rocketman turn. — Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, "2020 Golden Globe winner predictions: EW picks who should and who will win," 2 Jan. 2020 Queen Latifah threw herself into playing Ursula with happy bravura, but the animated character was more dazzling. — Hal Boedeker, orlandosentinel.com, "‘Little Mermaid Live!’: Awkward salute to a classic," 6 Nov. 2019 But the quip, uttered by Joaquin Phoenix in a bent, bravura performance as the DC Comics villain in his early years, could easily be a tagline for the festival itself. — cleveland.com, "At the Toronto International Film Festival, movies grapple with a confounding present by revisiting the past," 13 Sep. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bravura.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

25 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“Bravura.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bravura. Accessed 26 Feb. 2020.

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