courage

/ˈkʌrɪdʒ/

/ˈkʌrɛdʒ/

Other forms: courages

Someone with courage is bold and brave, unafraid to face tough challenges. Unlike the Cowardly Lion, who went all the way to the Emerald City to see if the Wizard had any courage to spare.

In Middle English, courage referred to “what is in one’s mind or thoughts." Today, anyone with courage has only fearless feats and courageous acts in mind. Having courage means acting when others are afraid of the danger, or simply acting without fear of failure. As the American poet Robert Frost advised, “Have courage and a little willingness to venture and be defeated.”

Definitions of courage

1. noun

   a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear
   synonyms: braveness, bravery, courageousness

   antonyms:

   cowardice

   the trait of lacking courage

   types:

   heart, mettle, nerve, spunk

   the courage to carry on

   gallantry, heroism, valiance, valiancy, valor, valorousness, valour

   the qualities of a hero or heroine; exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger (especially in battle)

   dauntlessness, intrepidity

   resolute courageousness

   Dutch courage

   courage resulting from intoxication

   stoutheartedness

   the trait of having a courageous spirit

   fearlessness

   the trait of feeling no fear

   fortitude

   strength of mind that enables one to endure adversity with courage

   coolness, nervelessness

   fearless self-possession in the face of danger

   boldness, daring, hardihood, hardiness

   the trait of being willing to undertake things that involve risk or danger

   gutsiness, pluck, pluckiness

   the trait of showing courage and determination in spite of possible loss or injury

   backbone, grit, gumption, guts, moxie, sand

   fortitude and determination

   resilience

   the ability to recover readily from adversity or change

   type of:

   spirit

   a fundamental emotional and activating principle determining one's character