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

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

Nixon has built a reputation on social media for being a daredevil pilot with clips on his Instagram often showing him performing stunts in helicopters, including low-level sprints, sharp turns and risky maneuvers while in the air. —Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 12 Oct. 2025

The first season followed 17-year-old Ethan (Cantona James) seeking a way out of the Southside’s bloody cycle of gang violence through spinning, a South African extreme motorsport that features drivers performing daredevil stunts. —Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 9 Oct. 2025

Noun

Bringing together some of today’s most innovative stunt designers, this conversation traces the craft’s journey from early cinematic daredevils to today’s painstaking choreography; and its long fight for overdue Academy recognition. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025

Clark cycles through the five stages of grief throughout her performance, snapping at a nurse over the treatment of her son one moment, and then breaking everyone’s hearts by wistfully telling stories of James’ daredevil antics the next. —Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Sep. 2025

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