courageous

[ kuh-rey-juhs ]

adjective

1. possessing or characterized by courage; brave:

   a courageous speech against the dictator.

courageous

/ kəˈreɪdʒəs /

adjective

1. possessing or expressing courage

Derived Forms

• couˈrageously, adverb
• couˈrageousness, noun

Other Words From

• cou·rageous·ly adverb
• cou·rageous·ness noun
• uncou·rageous adjective
• uncou·rageous·ly adverb
• uncou·rageous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of courageous¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English corageous, from Anglo-French curajous, Old French corageus, from corage courage + -eus -eous

Synonym Study

See brave.

Example Sentences

To do so depended on what Black called “courageous reporting,”

From Salon

In the end, there was nothing courageous in Scarborough, and Brezinski sought to get back in the good graces of a man who had made a career of “deceiving the people.”

From Salon

“With the help of courageous victims, investigators, and the public we will soon have him in custody to keep him from ever hurting anyone again.”

From Los Angeles Times

Or maybe enough courageous senators will refuse to confirm a quack.

From Slate

I thanked her for being courageous and trusting that she’d instilled in me the tools, the qualities, the values that would allow me to thrive out there and come back.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• adventurous
• audacious
• daring
• fearless
• gallant
• gutsy
• heroic
• resolute
• strong
• tenacious
• tough
• valiant