coward

¹

[ kou-erd ]

noun

1. a person who lacks courage in facing danger, difficulty, opposition, pain, etc.; a timid or easily intimidated person.

   Synonyms: milksop, recreant, dastard, poltroon, craven

adjective

1. lacking courage; very fearful or timid.
2. proceeding from or expressive of fear or timidity:

   a coward cry.

Coward

²

[ kou-erd ]

noun

1. Noel, 1899–1973, English playwright, author, actor, and composer.

Coward

¹

/ ˈkaʊəd /

noun

1. CowardSir Noël (Pierce)18991973MEnglishTHEATRE: dramatistTHEATRE: actorMUSIC: composer Sir Noël ( Pierce ). 1899–1973, English dramatist, actor, and composer, noted for his sophisticated comedies, which include Private Lives (1930) and Blithe Spirit (1941)

coward

²

/ ˈkaʊəd /

noun

1. a person who shrinks from or avoids danger, pain, or difficulty

Word History and Origins

Origin of coward¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Old French couard-, couart “cowardly,” from coue “tail” (from Latin cauda, cōda ) + -art -ard

Word History and Origins

Origin of coward¹

C13: from Old French cuard, from coue tail, from Latin cauda; perhaps suggestive of a frightened animal with its tail between its legs

Example Sentences

“At 15, he was already more of a man than you could ever be. You are not seen as powerful. You are seen as the coward that you are who chose to hurt children.”

From Los Angeles Times

Following the reports of a low turnout, protest leader Blessed Geza urged Zimbabweans "not to be cowards" in a post on X.

From BBC

"The threat to shoot me 'for free' was the threat of a coward, designed to intimidate me and to encourage others to target me," she added.

From BBC

He's always wanted a war so he could demonstrate his manly power to the world as a military leader but he is also a coward who would rather buy his way out of any jam.

From Salon

Rep. Young Kim is a “coward” for not standing up to Trump.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• wimp