Courage — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈkər-ij/ cour·age

Meaning & Definition of Courage

Courage (noun)

  1. mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty

Courage (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. strength of mind to carry on in spite of danger

    "the moral courage to speak out against injustice when no one else will"

    similar: bottle (British slang), bravery, courageousness, daring, daringness, dauntlessness, doughtiness, fearlessness, gallantry, greatheartedness, guts, gutsiness, hardihood, heart, heroism, intestinal fortitude, intrepidity, intrepidness, moxie, nerve, pecker (chiefly British), prowess, stoutness, valor, virtue
    related: backbone, fiber, fortitude, grit, gumption, mettle, pluck, pluckiness, spunk, temper, determination, perseverance, resolution, endurance, stamina, stomach, tenacity, audacity, boldness, brazenness, cheek, cojones (slang), effrontery, gall, temerity
    opposite: cowardice, cowardliness, cravenness, dastardliness, poltroonery, spinelessness
    near: cold feet, faintheartedness, fearfulness, mousiness, timidity, timorousness, feebleness, softness, weakness, impotence, ineffectualness, hesitation, indecision, indecisiveness, irresolution

Related Entry: Dutch courage (noun)

Dutch courage is a different word from Courage. The synonyms below are for Dutch courage, not for courage.

  1. as in malt liquor, ardent spirits

    similar: alcohol, aqua vitae, ardent spirits, booze, bottle, drink, firewater, grog, hooch (slang), inebriant, intoxicant, John Barleycorn, juice (slang), liquor, lush (slang), moonshine, potable, rum, sauce (slang), spirits, stimulant, strong drink, tipple, barley-bree (chiefly Scottish), brandy, gin, liqueur, mao-tai, mescal, schnapps, tequila, vodka, whiskey, ale, beer, brew, brewage, brewski (slang), home brew, malt liquor, microbrew, mum, nappy (chiefly Scottish), belt, load, nip, peg (British), pop, shooter, shot, slug, snifter, snort, tot, whet, mead, sake, wine, cocktail, mixed drink, aperitif, bracer, chaser, digestif, nightcap
    opposite: nonintoxicant, mocktail, mix, mixer, pop, soda, soda pop, soft drink

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Courage

The most common words with a similar meaning to Courage:

British slang: bottle
Chiefly British: pecker
bravery, courageousness, daring, daringness, dauntlessness, doughtiness, fearlessness, gallantry, greatheartedness, guts, gutsiness, hardihood, heart, heroism, intestinal fortitude, intrepidity, intrepidness, moxie, nerve, prowess, stoutness, valor, virtue

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Courage

Words with the opposite meaning of Courage:

cowardice, cowardliness, cravenness, dastardliness, poltroonery, spinelessness

Related Words for Courage

backbone, fiber, fortitude, grit, gumption, mettle, pluck, pluckiness, spunk, temper, determination, perseverance, resolution, endurance, stamina, stomach, tenacity, audacity, boldness, brazenness, cheek, cojones, effrontery, gall, temerity

Near Antonyms of Courage

cold feet, faintheartedness, fearfulness, mousiness, timidity, timorousness, feebleness, softness, weakness, impotence, ineffectualness, hesitation, indecision, indecisiveness, irresolution

Origin & Etymology of Courage

Middle English corage, from Anglo-French curage, from quer, coer heart, from Latin cor heart

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Courage

Words & Phrases Containing Courage

courage under fire, Dutch courage, pluck up (the) courage, screw up the/one's courage, (someone's) courage fails him/her, the courage of one's convictions

Frequently Asked Questions about Courage

What does "Courage" mean?

"Courage" means mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty. As a noun, it is defined as: mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.

What is another word for "Courage"?

Other words for "Courage" include bottle, bravery, courageousness, daring, daringness, dauntlessness, doughtiness and fearlessness. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Courage" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Courage"?

There are 50 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Courage". Common alternatives include bottle, bravery, courageousness, daring, daringness, dauntlessness, doughtiness, fearlessness, gallantry and greatheartedness.

What is the opposite of "Courage"?

Antonyms of "Courage" include cowardice, cowardliness, cravenness, dastardliness, poltroonery and spinelessness. Near antonyms include cold feet, faintheartedness, fearfulness and mousiness.

How do you use "Courage" in a sentence?

Examples of "Courage" in a sentence: "the moral courage to speak out against injustice when no one else will".

Is "Courage" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Courage" is a noun.

Is "Courage" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Courage" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Courage"?

"Courage" is pronounced /ˈkər-ij/ and divided into syllables as cour·age.