What does courage mean?
Courage is the quality of mind that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, or uncertainty without being overcome by fear. It is an uncountable noun used in both everyday speech and elevated writing: people show, summon, take, or lose courage in contexts ranging from battlefield heroics to admitting mistakes or defending an unpopular opinion. The word carries an unambiguously positive connotation and implies acting despite fear rather than lacking it entirely, setting it apart from mere recklessness. Derived forms include the adjective 'courageous' and the verbs 'encourage' and 'discourage'. Traced back through Old French to the Latin 'cor', meaning heart, the word literally connects bravery with the seat of feeling, making it one of English's most enduring terms of moral praise.
nounThe ability to do something that frightens one; strength in the face of pain, danger, or difficulty.
- Mental or moral strength to face danger, fear, pain, or difficulty without being deterred.
- (Less common) The heart as the seat of emotion; spirit or mind (archaic).
"It took real courage to stand up and speak against the decision."
"She showed great courage when she reported the fraud despite pressure to stay silent."
"After months of doubt, he finally summoned the courage to ask for help."
Rarely used; 'courage' is almost always treated as an uncountable noun. A plural form occasionally appears in literary contexts referring to kinds or instances of courage, but writers should normally avoid it.
"The novel explores different courages demanded of ordinary people."
Courage comes from the Latin word for 'heart' — to be courageous is literally to act with your whole heart.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of courage
Courage entered Middle English from Old French 'corage', which derived from Latin 'cor', meaning heart. In its earliest uses the word could refer to the heart or mind as the seat of thought and feeling, before narrowing over time to mean bravery in the face of danger or hardship. It shares this Latin root with words such as 'cordial' and 'concord', and it directly underlies the related English verbs 'encourage' and 'discourage'.
Related word forms
How courage is actually used
'Courage' carries a strongly positive connotation and appears in both formal and everyday registers. It often implies action despite fear rather than the absence of fear, which distinguishes it from simple boldness. Phrases like 'moral courage' specify bravery in standing by one's principles rather than facing physical danger.
Easily confused with courage
'Encourage' is a verb meaning to give someone support or confidence, while 'courage' is the noun denoting that bravery itself.