Courageous

/kəˈreɪdʒəs/

adjectiveIntermediate📊CommonEmotion
1 meaning1 idiom/phrase3 questions

Definitions

1

Possessing or characterized by courage; brave.

/kəˈreɪdʒəs/

adjectivepositiveIntermediate
Emotion

Having or showing courage; brave.

The firefighters were courageous in rescuing the people from the burning building.

💡 Simply: Imagine a firefighter running into a burning building to save someone. That's a courageous act! It means you're brave and don't let fear stop you from doing what's right, even when it's hard.

👶 For kids: Being brave when you're scared.

More Examples

2

She made a courageous decision to speak out against injustice.

3

The soldier was awarded a medal for his courageous actions on the battlefield.

How It's Used

General

"He was praised for his courageous actions during the crisis."

Literature

"The courageous knight faced the dragon without fear."

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

Idioms & expressions

Have the courage of one's convictions

To act in accordance with one's beliefs, especially when it is difficult or unpopular.

"She had the courage of her convictions and spoke out against the injustice, even though it cost her her job."

From Old French corageus, from corage ('heart, courage'), from Latin cor ('heart').

Used since the 14th century, originally referring to actions motivated by the heart or spirit, later evolving to explicitly mean bravery.

Memory tip

Think of a HEART (cor) that is full of AGGRESSION (age) and Upholding (ous) strength in face of danger.

Word Origin

LanguageOld French/Latin
Original meaning

"heart"

courageous actcourageous decisioncourageous spiritcourageous heartcourageous leader

Common misspellings

courageousscourageuscoregeouscurageous

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written