bravery - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
bravery Word Meanings
- Quality of facing danger or pain without showing fear.
- Courageous acts or behavior in dangerous situations.
- Figurative sense: boldness or audacity in non-danger contexts.
bravery Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
bravery Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈbreɪvəri/
US
/ˈbreɪvəri/
bravery Word Etymology
a) Root decomposition: brave + ry. b) Historical origin: bravery from Old French braverie, brave from Old French brave, ultimately from a Germanic root meaning bold. c) Memory image: a knight standing on a windy cliff, raising a shield against a storm.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputReal Context
Bravery is the quality of facing danger or pain without showing fear, often through deliberate action in difficult circumstances. It also refers to courageous acts or behavior in dangerous situations, such as rescuers rushing into a fire or a cyclist insisting on finishing a race despite injuries. The term can be used figuratively to describe boldness or audacity in non-danger contexts, like speaking up in a hostile meeting or taking a difficult moral stand. In everyday life, bravery is not the absence of fear but the choice to act in spite of it, sometimes with support from others or a clear sense of purpose.
Usage Reminders
- Remember bravery is often countable with acts of bravery; use brave for describing a person, not a noun; avoid mixing up courage and bravery in formal writing; pair bravery with contexts that involve risk or moral choice; you can say show bravery or display bravery, not be bravery; use adjectives like true or reckless to nuance bravery.
Common Misconceptions
- Bravery means never feeling fear.
- Bravery and courage are always the same thing.
- You only need bravery in dramatic emergencies, not everyday actions.
- Bravery is always about heroic, public displays.
- Countability: bravery is always plural or always singular.
Thinking Differences
English often treats bravery as a capability tied to intentional action in risky situations; learners may overemphasize fearless imagery or confuse bravery with heroism only in dramatic moments.
Learning Tips
- Learn common collocations (bravery in the line of duty, acts of bravery)
- Practice sentences with acts of bravery in different contexts
- Differentiate bravery from courage in high-stakes vs everyday situations
- Read quotes about bravery to see nuance in tone
- Listen for intonation when describing bravery in speech
- Use bravery with plural 'acts of bravery' to emphasize multiple instances
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the definition of the word 'bravery'?
A.The quality of being courageous in facing danger
B.The quality of being shy and reserved
C.The condition of being thoughtful and considerate
D.The act of being playful and light-hearted
Step 2: Usage
Identify the correct usage of the word 'bravery' in a sentence.
A.She showed bravery by hiding in the back during the storm.
B.The dog displayed bravery by barking quietly at strangers.
C.His bravery was evident when he decided to rescue the child from the water.
D.Her bravery resulted in her getting lost in the woods.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is most similar to 'bravery'?
A.Timidity
B.Courage
C.Indecision
D.Apathy
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'bravery'?
A.Foolishness
B.Timidity
C.Valor
D.Heroism
Step 5: Mastery
Can you think of a real-life situation that demonstrates bravery?
A.A person who speaks up against injustice and helps others
B.Someone who prefers to stay at home instead of going out
C.A child who refuses to play with others during recess
D.An individual who ignores a problem that affects their community
Related Listening
🔥 Advanced
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