What does daredevil mean?
A daredevil is a person who deliberately takes extraordinary physical risks — performing stunts, feats, or exploits that most people would consider foolhardy — typically driven by a taste for thrill, spectacle, or bravado. The word is most often applied to stunt performers, extreme athletes, aviators, motorcyclists, and other figures whose public identity rests on defying danger. It can also function attributively as an adjective, describing the reckless character of an action itself: a daredevil jump, a daredevil maneuver. The tone of the term is usually neutral to mildly admiring, suggesting courage and showmanship rather than mere foolishness, though it can carry a note of disapproval when the risk seems senseless. Common collocations include daredevil stunt, daredevil pilot, and daredevil antics. Related forms include daredevilry and daredevilism, denoting the practice or spirit of such recklessness. Because English has few single words capturing both boldness and showmanship, daredevil remains a vivid and widely used term in journalism and everyday speech.
A recklessly daring person who takes dangerous risks, especially as a performer of stunts or feats of daring.
"The circus hired a famous daredevil to walk the high wire blindfolded."
Recklessly bold; showing a willingness to take great risks.
"He earned a reputation for his daredevil flying during the airshow."
Regular plural; used only for the noun sense.
"Early daredevils thrilled crowds by leaping over canyons on motorcycles."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of daredevil
'Daredevil' is an English compound formed from the verb 'dare' plus 'devil,' literally suggesting one who dares even the devil — a figure of almost demonic fearlessness. It arose in English usage around the late 18th century, when it was applied to reckless soldiers and adventurers. The compound is transparent and native to English, so it has no true cognates from Latin or Greek roots.
Related word forms
How daredevil is actually used
Mostly informal to neutral in register. When used attributively before a noun ('a daredevil stunt'), it functions adjectivally and carries a slightly admiring connotation of audacity; as a plain noun it can be either admiring or disapproving depending on context.
Easily confused with daredevil
'Daredevil' is a noun (or adjective) for a person who takes wild risks; 'devil-may-care' is an adjective describing a carefree, reckless attitude rather than a person.