dare

1 of 3

verb

ˈder 

dared; daring; dares or (auxiliary) dare

auxiliary verb

: to be sufficiently courageous to

no one dared say a word

she dare not let herself love

—G. B. Shaw

intransitive verb

: to have sufficient courage

try it if you dare

transitive verb

1

a

: to challenge to perform an action especially as a proof of courage

dared him to jump

b

: to confront boldly : defy

dared the anger of his family

2

: to have the courage to contend against, venture, or try

the actress dared a new interpretation of the classic role

darer

ˈder-ər 

noun

dare

2 of 3

noun

1

: an act or instance of daring (see dare entry 1 sense 1) : challenge

crossed the river on a dare

refused to take the dare

2

: imaginative or vivacious boldness : daring

DARE

3 of 3

abbreviation

Dictionary of American Regional English

Synonyms

Verb

• challenge
• defy
• stump

Examples of dare in a Sentence

Verb

Try it if you dare.

We wanted to laugh but didn't dare.

The actress dared a new interpretation of the classic role.

She dared him to dive off the bridge.

She dared me to ask him out on a date. I did, and he said yes.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The dual goal of these orders was clear: to punish law firms that had dared to cross Trump and to intimidate others that might stand up to him. —Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2025

While many bridal offerings can feel traditional or conservative, Vera’s boasts daring hemlines, modern silhouettes (her fall 2020 bridal collection saw a number of high low gowns, for example), and even the occasional splash of color. —Elise Taylor, Vogue, 24 Apr. 2025

Noun

But after Stringer’s dare, Todd Shapiro, a PR consultant volunteering as a spokesman for Adams’ campaign, said the mayor will attend Thursday’s forum. —Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2025

The girls kiss as part of some kind of dare or game, much to Saxon’s delight, and then Lachlan leans over and kisses his brother right on the lips, at first a quick peck, but then back in for a longer, lingering kiss. —Erik Kain, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English dar (1st & 3rd singular present indicative), from Old English dear; akin to Old High German gitar (1st & 3rd singular present indicative) dare, Greek tharsos courage

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense

Noun

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing dare

• don't you dare
• for a dare
• how dare (someone)
• I dare say
• on a dare

Rhymes for dare

• air
• ayre
• bahr
• bare
• blare
• care
• chair
• claire
• ere
• err
• eyre
• fair

Kids Definition

dare

1 of 2 verb

ˈda(ə)r 

ˈde(ə)r

dared; daring

1

a

: to have enough courage : be bold enough to

try it if you dare

b

—used as a helping verb

no one dared say a word

2

: to challenge to perform an action especially as a proof of courage

I dare you

3

: to face boldly

dared the dangerous crossing

dare

2 of 2 noun

: an act or instance of daring : challenge

dived from the bridge on a dare

Biographical Definition

Dare

biographical name

ˈder 

Virginia 1587–? 1st child born in America of English parents