Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

derring-do

American  
[der-ing-doo] / ˈdɛr ɪŋˈdu /

noun

  1. daring deeds; heroic daring.

derring-do British  
/ ˈdɛrɪŋˈduː /

noun

  1. archaic a daring spirit or deed; boldness or bold action

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of derring-do

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English durring-do literally, “daring to do,” erroneously taken as noun phrase; dare, do 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Good on James Mangold for tracking a bit of mud on Bob Dylan’s legacy, the kind of irreverent derring-do the movie’s own Johnny Cash celebrates.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 24, 2025

China hasn’t achieved this technological ascendancy through sheer grit and derring-do.

From Slate • May 28, 2024

If you like your fantasy novels packed with comedy, action and old-fashioned derring-do, “Promise” is the book for you.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 30, 2024

But through bravery, luck and derring-do, Rahane and Thakur launched a thrilling fightback that rattled the Australians.

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2023

It seems the boy is always running afoul of a pack of shamblers in the midst of his Missouri adventures, and the boy’s derring-do reminds me of my own exploits.

From "Dread Nation" by Justina Ireland

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.