Dare — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun abbreviation /ˈder/

Meaning & Definition of Dare

Dare (verb)

  1. to be sufficiently courageous to
  2. to have sufficient courage
  3. to challenge to perform an action especially as a proof of courage

Dare (noun)

  1. an act or instance of daring, challenge
  2. imaginative or vivacious boldness, daring

Dare (abbreviation)

  1. Dictionary of American Regional English

Dare (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to invite (someone) to take part in a contest or to perform a feat

    "I dare you to repeat that to my face!"

    "he dared his friend to race to the end of the block"

    similar: challenge, defy, stump
    related: beard, brave, brazen, breast, confront, face, outbrave, outface

  2. to oppose (something hostile or dangerous) with firmness or courage

    "every day the old fisherman dared the elements to make his meager living"

    similar: beard, brave, brazen, breast, confront, defy, face, outbrave, outface, stand up to
    related: face up (to), front, affront, challenge, encounter, meet, accost, approach, corner, repel, resist, stand, withstand, battle, combat, contend (with), fight, oppose, square (off)
    opposite: dodge, duck, funk, shirk, sidestep
    near: avoid, eschew, shun, elude, escape, evade, shake

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Dare

The most common words with a similar meaning to Dare:

challenge, defy, stump, beard, brave, brazen, breast, confront, face, outbrave, outface, stand up to

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Dare

Words with the opposite meaning of Dare:

dodge, duck, funk, shirk, sidestep

Related Words for Dare

face up (to), front, affront, encounter, meet, accost, approach, corner, repel, resist, stand, withstand, battle, combat, contend (with), fight, oppose, square (off)

Near Antonyms of Dare

avoid, eschew, shun, elude, escape, evade, shake

Word Forms of Dare

Inflections: dared, daring, dares

Derived words: darer (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Dare

Middle English dar (1st & 3rd singular present indicative), from Old English dear; akin to Old High German gitar (1st & 3rd singular present indicative) dare, Greek tharsos courage

First known use: before 12th centuryaux

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Dare

Words & Phrases Containing Dare

don't you dare, for a dare, how dare (someone), I dare say, on a dare

Frequently Asked Questions about Dare

What does "Dare" mean?

"Dare" means to be sufficiently courageous to. As an a verb, a noun and an abbreviation, it is defined as: to be sufficiently courageous to. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Dare"?

Other words for "Dare" include challenge, defy, stump, beard, brave, brazen, breast and confront. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Dare" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Dare"?

There are 30 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Dare". Common alternatives include challenge, defy, stump, beard, brave, brazen, breast, confront, face and outbrave.

What is the opposite of "Dare"?

Antonyms of "Dare" include dodge, duck, funk, shirk and sidestep. Near antonyms include avoid, eschew, shun and elude.

How do you use "Dare" in a sentence?

Examples of "Dare" in a sentence: "I dare you to repeat that to my face!"; "he dared his friend to race to the end of the block"; "every day the old fisherman dared the elements to make his meager living".

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

"Dare" can be used as a verb, a noun and an abbreviation, depending on the context.

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

As a B2-level word, "Dare" 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 "Dare"?

"Dare" is pronounced /ˈder/.