courageous

adjective

cou·​ra·​geous kə-ˈrā-jəs 

: having or characterized by courage : brave

a courageous soldier

a courageous decision

courageously adverb

courageousness noun

Synonyms

• brave
• fearless
• valiant
• heroic
• heroical
• gallant
• bold

Examples of courageous in a Sentence

She was a courageous woman who wasn't afraid to support unpopular causes.

the courageous decision to quit rather than obey an illegal order

Recent Examples on the Web

Selby has lived a big, courageous life, and that largesse is evident on every page, in the form of the rigor and curiosity of the narrative voice. —Gabrielle Bellot, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2025

Now more than ever, Uncle Sam will be looking for courageous insiders to step forward to ensure that the promise to treat disease doesn’t become an opportunity to fleece taxpayers instead. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2025

The story is told through the lens of Indianapolis Star journalists who broke the story with the help of courageous whistleblowers. —Skyler Trepel Published, EW.com, 10 Aug. 2025

For its courageous thematic approach, emotional depth, and promise of a distinct new voice in cinema, the MidPoint Consulting Award goes to Das Blühen einer Chimäre (The Flowering of a Chimera). —Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 10 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English corageous, borrowed from Anglo-French corajus, from corage courage + -us, -ous -ous

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for courageous

• advantageous
• contagious
• outrageous
• disadvantageous

Kids Definition

courageous

adjective

cou·​ra·​geous kə-ˈrā-jəs 

: having or marked by courage : brave

courageously adverb

courageousness noun