cou ‧ ra ‧ geous /kəˈreɪdʒəs/ BrE AmE adjective
brave:
He was wrong, and courageous enough to admit it.
a courageous decision
—courageously adverb
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REGISTER
In everyday English, people usually say brave rather than courageous :
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It was brave of you to tell him what you thought.
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THESAURUS
▪ brave showing that you are not afraid to do things that other people find dangerous or difficult:
I think he was incredibly brave to do a parachute jump.
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a brave attempt to change the system
▪ courageous /kəˈreɪdʒəs/ especially written very brave – used especially about someone fighting for what they believe in, or fighting against a disease:
a courageous speech
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her courageous fight against cancer
▪ daring brave and willing to take a lot of risks:
a daring escape from a prison camp
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a daring fighter pilot
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a daring thing to do
▪ bold willing to make difficult decisions or say what you think, even though it may involve risks:
It was a bold move to set up his own company.
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She was very bold in criticizing the leadership.
▪ intrepid written willing to do dangerous things or go to dangerous places:
an intrepid traveller
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We sent our intrepid reporter to find out what is happening.
▪ adventurous used about someone who enjoys going to new places and doing new, possibly dangerous, things:
More adventurous visitors can go skiing or snowboarding.
▪ fearless not afraid of anything or anyone:
a fearless campaigner for human rights
▪ heroic very brave and admired by many people:
heroic rescuers
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Despite heroic efforts to save him, he died.
▪ plucky brave and determined – often used in newspapers:
Plucky Megan, aged 10, has beaten cancer twice.