What does brave mean?
Brave is primarily an adjective describing someone who is willing to face danger, pain, or hardship with courage rather than shrinking from it. A brave soldier advances under fire; a brave patient endures treatment calmly; a brave choice may mean doing the right thing even when it carries personal cost. English also uses brave as a transitive verb meaning to endure or confront something daunting — one might brave a storm, brave public criticism, or brave a long queue in bad weather. The word carries strongly positive connotations of moral and physical courage, and it appears in fixed expressions such as putting on a brave face, which means concealing distress behind a show of composure. Derived forms include the adverb bravely and the noun bravery. Though its roots trace through French, Italian, and Spanish, its modern sense of courage has been stable in English for centuries, making it one of the most direct and versatile words available for praising courage.
Possessing or displaying courage; ready to face danger, pain, or difficulty without fear.
"She gave a brave performance despite the hostile audience."
To endure or confront something dangerous or unpleasant without flinching.
"Hundreds braved the storm to attend the outdoor concert."
(Dated) An American Indian warrior; formerly also used more broadly for a brave person.
"The old novel described a band of braves crossing the river."
Applies only to the dated noun sense referring to warriors; rarely used in contemporary writing.
"The chronicle mentions several braves who defended the village."
The word 'brave' arrived in English via Italian 'bravo' and Spanish 'brave', both likely from Latin 'barbarus' — meaning that calling someone brave originally meant calling them wild or savage.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of brave
English acquired 'brave' from the French 'brave' in the late 15th century, itself borrowed from Italian 'bravo' and cognate with Spanish 'brave'. These Romance forms most plausibly derive from Latin 'barbarus', meaning foreign or uncivilized, so the word's earliest sense carried connotations of wildness before shifting to boldness. Related borrowings include 'bravado', 'bravo' (both the shout of approval and the hired fighter), and 'bravura'.
Related word forms
How brave is actually used
'Brave' as an adjective is neutral-to-positive in register and common in both everyday and formal speech. The verb form ('to brave the elements') is slightly literary but widely understood. As a noun referring to Indigenous American warriors, the word is dated and generally avoided today.
Easily confused with brave
'Grave' means serious or solemn (or a burial place), while 'brave' means courageous — they rhyme but differ entirely in meaning.