What does dare mean?
The word dare captures one of the most human of impulses: the choice between fear and courage. As a verb, it has two main uses — first, to have the bravery to attempt something risky or intimidating ('she dared to ask the question no one else would'); second, to provoke someone into an act by questioning their nerve ('I dare you'). It also functions as a noun meaning such a challenge itself, familiar from the game 'truth or dare'. Grammatically, dare is unusual: it behaves partly like a modal verb, so English allows both 'he dare not speak' and 'he doesn't dare to speak'. Derived forms such as daring, daredevil, and the idiom 'daresay' extend its reach. Connotations range from playful provocation among friends to genuine moral courage, making dare equally at home on a playground and in accounts of heroism.
To have the courage to do something risky or frightening; to challenge someone to prove their courage.
"No one dared to contradict the judge."
Can act as both a full verb (taking 'do'-support) and a semi-modal verb, particularly in British English.
A challenge to do something dangerous, embarrassing, or bold, typically issued to test someone's nerve.
"It started as a dare, and by midnight they had all jumped into the lake."
Standard plural of the noun 'dare', used for multiple challenges or acts of daring.
"Childhood dares often seem foolish in hindsight."
In questions like 'How dare you?', the word dare has been expressing outrage since the days of Old English — it's one of the few verbs that can ask a question without 'do'.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of dare
Dare comes from Old English 'durran', meaning to have courage or boldness, which traces back through Proto-Germanic roots to the Indo-European base *dhers-, conveying boldness. The word is ancient within the Germanic branch of the language family, with related boldness-words appearing across Germanic languages. Its modal-like behavior in modern English reflects grammatical patterns inherited from earlier stages of the language.
Related word forms
How dare is actually used
As a semi-modal verb, dare can behave like a modal ('Dare she tell him?' / 'He dare not refuse'), especially in British English and in negative or interrogative contexts, while also taking normal verb forms ('does he dare', 'didn't dare'). In American English it usually takes ordinary auxiliary verbs with 'to' before an infinitive. The negative 'I daresay' means 'I suppose', not literal defiance.