Brave Meaning
/bɹeɪv/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
adjStrong in the face of fear; courageous.
adjHaving any sort of superiority or excellence.
Sentence Examples
You are very brave.
I admire your brave deed.
The brave firefighter rushed into the burning building to save the child.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The firefighter had to be ____ to enter the burning building.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ____ soldier was honored for his courage during the hard battle.
Word Origin & History
From Middle French brave, borrowed from Italian bravo, itself of uncertain origin (see there). Doublet of bravo.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"For miſerie doth braueſt mindes abate, / And make them ſeeke for that they wont to ſcorne, / Of fortune and of hope at once forlorne."
— 1578–1579, Ed[mund] Sp[enser], “Prosopopoia. Or Mother Hubberds Tale. [...] Dedicated to the Right Honorable the Ladie Compton and Mountegle”, in Complaints. Containing Sundrie Small Poemes of the Worlds Vanitie. Whereof the Next Page Maketh Mention, London: Imprinted for VVilliam Ponsonbie, dwelling in Paules Churchyard at the signe of the Bishops head, published 1591, →OCLC:
"Do not fret, dear. You must be brave and strong, and help me through the horrible task. If you only knew what an effort it is to me to tell of this fearful thing at all, you would understand how much I need your help."
— 1897, Bram Stoker, Dracula, Westminster [London]: Archibald Constable and Company, […], →OCLC:
"[…]he has been so brave, giving it all a dignity."
— 1987, Michael Grumley, The Last Diary:
"Huntingdon's ferocity makes the reaction of staff all the more brave. To move towards danger when others are fleeing is the definition of bravery in my book. To place yourself in danger to protect others."
— 2025 November 12, Philip Haigh, “High praise for rail staff's courage and clear thinking”, in RAIL, number 1048, page 50:
"Is it not paſſing braue to be a King,
And ride in triumph through Perſepolis?"
— c. 1587–1588 (date written), [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. […] The First Part […], 2nd edition, part 1, London: […] [R. Robinson for] Richard Iones, […], published 1592, →OCLC; reprinted as Tamburlaine the Great (A Scolar Press Facsimile), Menston, Yorkshire; London: Scolar Press, 1973, →ISBN, Act II, scene v:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The firefighter had to be ____ to enter the burning building.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ____ soldier was honored for his courage during the hard battle.