coward

/ˈkaʊərd/

/ˈkaʊəd/

Other forms: cowards

A coward is someone who’s afraid of doing something daring or dangerous. Skydiving might sound exciting in theory, but you might be a coward when it comes to actually jumping out of a plane. Which is probably wise.

Coward comes from the Latin word couda, meaning “tail.” Have you ever seen a scared puppy with its tail between its legs? That’s what people who are cowards would be doing if they had tails. Being afraid of something dangerous might make someone a coward, but the word can also describe someone who avoids doing something difficult or unpleasant. If your boss makes his assistant deliver the unpleasant news about layoffs, you might call him a coward.

Definitions of coward

1. noun

   a person who shows fear or timidity
   types:

   cur

   a cowardly and despicable person

   dastard

   a despicable coward

   craven, poltroon, recreant

   an abject coward

   quaker, trembler

   one who quakes and trembles with (or as with) fear

   shrinking violet, shy person

   someone who shrinks from familiarity with others

   Milquetoast, milksop, pansy, pantywaist, sissy

   a timid man or boy considered childish or unassertive

   hesitater, hesitator, vacillator, waverer

   one who hesitates (usually out of fear)

   caitiff

   a cowardly and despicable person

   wallflower

   someone who remains on sidelines at social events

   type of:

   individual, mortal, person, somebody, someone, soul

   a human being