daredevil

1 of 2

adjective

dare·​dev·​il ˈder-ˌde-vᵊl 

: recklessly and often ostentatiously daring

daredevil

2 of 2

noun

: a recklessly bold person

daredevilry

ˈder-ˌde-vᵊl-rē 

noun

daredeviltry

ˈder-ˌde-vᵊl-trē 

noun

Synonyms of daredevil

Adjective

• reckless
• courageous
• brave
• adventurous
• daring
• foolhardy
• heroic

Noun

• cowboy
• devil
• madman

Choose the Right Synonym for daredevil

adventurous, venturesome, daring, daredevil, rash, reckless, foolhardy mean exposing oneself to danger more than required by good sense.

adventurous implies a willingness to accept risks but not necessarily imprudence.

adventurous pioneers

venturesome implies a jaunty eagerness for perilous undertakings.

venturesome stunt pilots

daring implies fearlessness in courting danger.

daring mountain climbers

daredevil stresses ostentation in daring.

daredevil motorcyclists

rash suggests imprudence and lack of forethought.

a rash decision

reckless implies heedlessness of probable consequences.

a reckless driver

foolhardy suggests a recklessness that is inconsistent with good sense.

the foolhardy sailor ventured into the storm

Examples of daredevil in a Sentence

Adjective

his daredevil stunts are sure to end in disaster someday

a daredevil driver who thinks that drag racing on city streets is a harmless game

Noun

He has always been a bit of a daredevil.

that little daredevil has broken an arm and an ankle this year alone

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The daredevil sequence sees Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) hijack a biplane to chase down the villainous Gabriel (Esai Morales), who's in a biplane of his own. —Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Dec. 2025

With the region offering four seasons of thrills— from hut-to-hut hikes and epic powder days to daredevil road trips—there’s really no bad time to visit. —Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 18 Nov. 2025

Noun

Of the celebrities who are considered daredevils of fashion is none other than Bella Hadid. —Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 13 Jan. 2026

Young chimpanzee daredevils Our study group consisted of over 100 wild chimpanzees ranging from 2 to 65 years old from Ngogo, Kibale National Park, Uganda. —Lauren Sarringhaus, The Conversation, 7 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1727, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1794, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for daredevil

• multilevel
• bevel
• devil
• level
• mediaeval
• sublevel

Kids Definition

daredevil

noun

dare·​dev·​il

ˈda(ə)r-ˌdev-əl, 

ˈde(ə)r-

: a recklessly bold person

daredevil adjective