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courage

noun

  1. the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery.
    Synonyms: intrepidity, dauntlessness, fearlessness, spirit, pluck
    Antonyms: cowardice
  2. Obsolete. the heart as the source of emotion.

/ ˈkʌrɪdʒ /

noun

  1. the power or quality of dealing with or facing danger, fear, pain, etc
  2. the courage of one's convictions
    the confidence to act in accordance with one's beliefs
  3. take one's courage in both hands
    to nerve oneself to perform an action
  4. obsolete.
    mind; disposition; spirit

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Word History and Origins

Origin of courage1

First recorded in

1250–1300; Middle English corage, from Old French, equivalent to cuer “heart” (from Latin cor; heart

) + -age -age

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Word History and Origins

Origin of courage1

C13: from Old French corage, from cuer heart, from Latin cor

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Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

  1. have the courage of one's convictions,
    to act in accordance with one's beliefs, especially in spite of criticism.

More idioms and phrases containing courage

In addition to the idiom beginning with courage , also see Dutch courage ; pluck up (one's courage) .

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Compare Meanings

How does courage compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

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Synonym Study

Courage,

bravery,

valor,

bravado

refer to qualities of spirit and conduct.

Courage

permits one to face extreme dangers and difficulties without fear:

to take (or lose) courage.

Bravery

implies true courage with daring and an intrepid boldness:

bravery in a battle.

Valor

implies heroic courage:

valor in fighting for the right.

Bravado

is now usually a boastful and ostentatious pretense of courage or bravery:

empty bravado.

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Example Sentences

For all England's unquestionable courage and energy, they have continually been undermined by mistakes this autumn.

He has said that he’s really proud of the film and admires Stewart’s courage in entrusting him to make it.

But however it pans out, lawmakers — elected Republicans — finding the courage to say that science is real, the age of consent matters and that you really should wash your hands after using the bathroom?

The Miss South Africa organisation said Ms Le Roux had shown “incredible courage and grace throughout this difficult period”.

This sustains me and has given me courage and hope.

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More About Courage

What does courage mean?

Courage is the quality of being ready and willing to face negative situations involving danger or pain.

A close synonym is bravery. Showing courage is often thought of as facing such situations without fear, but it also involves facing them despite fear. In other words, someone who has courage might not be fearless, but they face the dangerous, difficult, or frightening situation anyway.

The adjective courageous means having, showing, or done with courage. It can be used to describe people who have courage, or the actions of such people when they face negative situations resolutely. A close synonym is brave.

Example: We should all show our appreciation for the courage of our first responders, who face danger every day but still, somehow, decide to show up and put the wellbeing of other people before their own safety.

Where does courage come from?

The first records of the word courage come from the 1200s. It comes from the Old French corage, from cuer, meaning “heart” (this ultimately derives from the Latin cor, meaning “heart”).

The heart is traditionally depicted as the center of human emotion, and the word heart is commonly used in a figurative way to refer to courage or bravery—someone who has courage is said to have a lot of heart. Being courageous means that even when a situation is dangerous or scary—when it makes your heart start beating very fast—you’re still willing to face it. But courage doesn’t always involve facing danger. Something as simple as telling the truth when it will result in negative consequences can be courageous.

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How is courage used in real life?

Courage is always used positively. It’s associated with heroic people and actions—like firefighters running into burning buildings to save people—but it can be used in many different situations.

Bravery is having the courage to confront something that is difficult & dangerous.

Right now, countless medical professionals are taking care of people suffering from coronavirus.

Their bravery in the face of adversity is inspirational. Please thank them.

May God protect them.

— Dr. Craig Considine (@CraigCons) March 16, 2020

D-Day … I can't imagine the courage that took. Thank you for saving the world from fascism.

— Eric Berger (@SciGuySpace) June 6, 2019

“The truth is inside of us, and it’s wonderful when we have the courage to tell it.” pic.twitter.com/15e6rNhUCJ

— MisterRogersQuotes (@MisterRogersSay) October 2, 2020

Try using courage!

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of courage?

A. bravery
B. resoluteness
C. timidity
D. valor

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.