Craven
'kreɪvən
Definitions
Lacking courage; contemptibly timid; cowardly.
'kreɪvən
Lacking courage; cowardly.
He was accused of being craven for his refusal to fight.
💡 Simply: Imagine a scaredy-cat who hides instead of facing their problems. That's a craven person! Like, if you were afraid to ride a roller coaster and ran away, you'd be acting a little craven.
👶 For kids: Being craven means being a scaredy-cat and not being brave.
More Examples
The craven soldiers abandoned their post and fled the battle.
The novel's protagonist is portrayed as a craven man, unwilling to stand up for what is right.
How It's Used
"The craven knight hid behind a tree instead of facing his enemy."
"The craven soldiers deserted the battlefield, leaving their comrades to fight."
From Old French *cravant* ("cowardly"), ultimately from Latin *crepare* ("to crack, creak"), perhaps reflecting the idea of a broken spirit.
Common in historical literature and poetry to describe a lack of bravery or moral fiber.
Memory tip
Think of a "raven"—a bird often associated with darkness and fear—as a craven person.