bravura

[ bruh-vyoor-uh, -voor-uh; Italian brah-voo-rah ]

noun

, plural bra·vu·ras, Italian bra·vu·re [b, r, ah-, voo, -, r, e].

1. Music. a florid passage or piece requiring great skill and spirit in the performer.
2. a display of daring; brilliant performance.

adjective

1. Music. spirited; florid; brilliant (applied chiefly to vocal but occasionally to instrumental compositions).

bravura

/ -ˈvʊərə; brəˈvjʊərə /

noun

1. a display of boldness or daring
2. music
   1. brilliance of execution
   2. ( as modifier )

      a bravura passage

Word History and Origins

Origin of bravura¹

First recorded in 1780–90; from Italian: literally, “spirit, dash”; brave, -ure

Word History and Origins

Origin of bravura¹

C18: from Italian: spirit, courage, from bravare to show off, see bravado

Example Sentences

But on the positive side, Woo has lost none of his love for the practical bravura of elaborate, ludicrous stunts, nor any of his way with camera movement and editing that complements choreography.

From Los Angeles Times

I could more or less track the dramatic through line from my knowledge of the original show, but the psychology gets lost in the bravura of the moment.

From Los Angeles Times

It unsettles the viewer on a bone-deep level, the tension bursting like a bubble on a bravura music cue.

From Los Angeles Times

In this bit of bravura filmmaking, Nichols demonstrates a slick style and rhythmic musicality that instantly draws us into this world.

From Los Angeles Times

Underneath all that bravura was a reserved man.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• audacity
• bravery
• daring
• determination
• endurance
• fearlessness
• firmness
• fortitude
• gallantry
• grit
• heroism
• prowess
• spirit
• spunk
• tenacity
• valor