Coward — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun adjective /ˈkau̇(-ə)rd/ cow·ard

Meaning & Definition of Coward

Coward (noun)

  1. one who shows disgraceful fear or timidity

Coward (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a person who shows a shameful lack of courage in the face of danger

    "the soldiers who ran as soon as the first shots were fired were branded as cowards"

    similar: chicken, craven, cur, dastard, funk, poltroon, recreant, sissy
    related: defeatist, quitter, cream puff, milquetoast, pushover, pussy (slang), weakling, wimp, caitiff, snake, sneak, ostrich, scaramouch
    opposite: hero, stalwart, valiant
    near: daredevil

Coward (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in cowardly, craven

    similar: cowardly, craven, gutless, lily-livered, pusillanimous, cowed, daunted, intimidated, unnerved, careful, cautious, heedful, prudent, unadventurous, wary, appalled, dismayed, startled, phobic, agitated, anxious, apprehensive, disconcerted, disquieted, disturbed, funky, jittery, jumpy, nervous, panicked, panicky, panic-stricken, perturbed, skittish, uneasy, upset, worried, chicken, fainthearted, fearsome, shrinking, shy, timid, timorous, tremulant, tremulous, affrighted, afraid, aghast, alarmed, fearful, frightened, horrified, horror-struck, hysterical, scared, scary, shocked, spooked, terrified, terrorized
    opposite: fearless, unafraid, adventuresome, adventurous, audacious, bold, daredevil, daring, dashing, gutsy, plucky, spirited, spunky, venturesome, venturous, brave, courageous, gallant, hardy, heroic, intrepid, lionhearted, manful, stalwart, stout, stouthearted, valiant, valorous, assured, collected, composed, confident, cool, sanguine, sure, unperturbed, dauntless, resolute, undaunted

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Coward

The most common words with a similar meaning to Coward:

chicken, craven, cur, dastard, funk, poltroon, recreant, sissy, cowardly, gutless, lily-livered, pusillanimous, cowed, daunted, intimidated, unnerved, careful, cautious, heedful, prudent, unadventurous, wary, appalled, dismayed, startled, phobic, agitated, anxious, apprehensive, disconcerted, disquieted, disturbed, funky, jittery, jumpy, nervous, panicked, panicky, panic-stricken, perturbed

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Coward

Words with the opposite meaning of Coward:

hero, stalwart, valiant, fearless, unafraid, adventuresome, adventurous, audacious, bold, daredevil, daring, dashing, gutsy, plucky, spirited, spunky, venturesome, venturous, brave, courageous, gallant, hardy, heroic, intrepid, lionhearted, manful, stout, stouthearted, valorous, assured

Related Words for Coward

defeatist, quitter, cream puff, milquetoast, pushover, pussy, weakling, wimp, caitiff, snake, sneak, ostrich, scaramouch

Word Forms of Coward

Derived words: coward (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Coward

Middle English, from Anglo-French cuard, from cue, coe tail, from Latin cauda

First known use: 13th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Coward

What does "Coward" mean?

"Coward" means one who shows disgraceful fear or timidity. As an a noun and an adjective, it is defined as: one who shows disgraceful fear or timidity. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Coward"?

Other words for "Coward" include chicken, craven, cur, dastard, funk, poltroon, recreant and sissy. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Coward" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Coward"?

There are 80 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Coward". Common alternatives include chicken, craven, cur, dastard, funk, poltroon, recreant, sissy, cowardly and gutless.

What is the opposite of "Coward"?

Antonyms of "Coward" include hero, stalwart, valiant, fearless, unafraid, adventuresome, adventurous and audacious.

How do you use "Coward" in a sentence?

Examples of "Coward" in a sentence: "the soldiers who ran as soon as the first shots were fired were branded as cowards".

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

"Coward" can be used as a noun and an adjective, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Coward"?

"Coward" is pronounced /ˈkau̇(-ə)rd/ and divided into syllables as cow·ard.

What is the origin of the word "Coward"?

"Coward" comes from Middle English, from Anglo-French cuard, from cue, coe tail, from Latin cauda. First known use: 13th century.