Brave vs. Bold: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on October 6, 2023
Brave refers to showing courage or facing danger fearlessly, while Bold pertains to being daring or standing out prominently.
Key Differences
Brave and Bold are adjectives that often overlap in meaning, but they hold distinct nuances. Brave is primarily associated with displaying courage, especially when facing danger or adversity. A brave person might face challenges head-on, despite feelings of fear. On the other hand, Bold usually implies a daring spirit or the willingness to take risks. A bold individual doesn't just face challenges but does so audaciously, often defying conventions.
Discussing Brave further, the word often evokes images of heroes, soldiers, or anyone pushing through despite overwhelming odds. Being brave doesn't necessarily mean the absence of fear, but rather the strength to continue despite it. Bold, in contrast, often has a more assertive and confident connotation. Bold actions or decisions stand out, sometimes even considered rash or audacious. Boldness might sometimes be criticized as recklessness, while bravery is usually lauded.
In literature, a brave character could be one who confronts a terrifying creature despite their fears, showing a resilience of spirit. In the same vein, a bold character might challenge societal norms, breaking boundaries with their outspoken nature. Thus, while both words suggest courage, Bold often leans more towards audacity and breaking norms.
To sum it up, while Brave and Bold both encompass courage, Brave emphasizes endurance in the face of fear, and Bold highlights audacity, standing out, and sometimes, defiance.
Comparison Chart
Main Meaning
Showing courage in facing danger
Daring or standing out prominently
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Nature
Courageous despite fear
Audacious, standing out
Connotations
Heroism, strength
Audacity, confidence, defiance
Use in Literature
Heroes facing challenges with resilience
Characters challenging norms
Part of Speech
Adjective/Noun (e.g., a brave person)
Adjective
Brave and Bold Definitions
Brave
Showing courage in facing danger.
The brave firefighter saved the child from the blaze.
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Bold
Standing out prominently, often in terms of color or design.
He wore a bold tie to the meeting.
Brave
Enduring or facing unpleasant conditions without showing fear.
She was brave during the medical procedure.
Bold
Daring or fearless.
She made a bold move by starting her own business.
Brave
Fearless; courageous.
The brave knight faced the dragon alone.
Bold
Clear, distinct, or conspicuous in appearance.
The poster was printed in bold letters.
Brave
Possessing or displaying courage.
Bold
Fearless and daring; courageous
A bold leader.
Brave
Making a fine display; impressive or showy
“a coat of brave red lipstick on a mouth so wrinkled that it didn't even have a clear outline” (Anne Tyler).
Bold
Requiring or exhibiting courage or daring
A bold voyage to unknown lands.
Brave
Excellent; great
“The Romans were like brothers / In the brave days of old” (Thomas Macaulay).
Bold
Unduly forward and brazen; impudent
A bold, sassy child.
Brave
(used with a pl. verb) People who exhibit bravery or courage considered as a group
“O'er the land of the free / And the home of the brave” (Francis Scott Key).
Bold
Strikingly different or unconventional; arresting or provocative
"[He] laid out a bold, new vision for America's leading universities" (Jerome Karabel).
Brave
(Offensive) A Native American warrior.
Bold
Clear and distinct to the eye; conspicuous
Bold colors.
A bold pattern.
Brave
(Archaic) A bully.
Bold
Strong or pronounced; prominent
The bold flavor of ginger.
Brave
To endure or face courageously
“He remained in his tent on inclement mornings while others in the party braved the rain ... looking for birds” (Bert O. States). “Together they would brave Satan and all his legions” (Emily Brontë).
Bold
Steep or abrupt in grade or terrain
"The two walk along the high, bold, rocky shore" (Harriet Beecher Stowe).
Brave
(Obsolete) To make showy or splendid.
Bold
(Printing) Boldface.
Brave
To make a courageous show or put up a stalwart front.
Bold
(obsolete) A dwelling; habitation; building.
Brave
Strong in the face of fear; courageous.
Bold
Courageous, daring.
Bold deeds win admiration and, sometimes, medals.
Brave
(obsolete) Having any sort of superiority or excellence.
Bold
Visually striking; conspicuous.
The painter's bold use of colour and outline
Brave
Making a fine show or display.
Bold
Having thicker strokes than the ordinary form of the typeface.
The last word of this sentence is bold.
Brave
Foolish or unwise.
Bold
Presumptuous, forward or impudent.
Brave
(dated) A Native American warrior.
Bold
(Ireland) Naughty; insolent; badly-behaved.
All of her children are terribly bold and never do as they are told.
Brave
(obsolete) A man daring beyond discretion; a bully.
Bold
Full-bodied.
Brave
(obsolete) A challenge; a defiance; bravado.
Bold
(Philippines) Pornographic; depicting nudity.
Brave
(transitive) To encounter with courage and fortitude, to defy, to provoke.
After braving tricks on the high-dive, he braved a jump off the first diving platform.
Bold
Steep or abrupt.
Brave
To adorn; to make fine or showy.
Bold
(transitive) To make (a font or some text) bold.
Brave
Bold; courageous; daring; intrepid; - opposed to cowardly; as, a brave man; a brave act.
Bold
To make bold or daring.
Brave
Having any sort of superiority or excellence; - especially such as in conspicuous.
Iron is a brave commodity where wood aboundeth.
It being a brave day, I walked to Whitehall.
Bold
To become bold or brave.
Brave
Making a fine show or display.
Wear my dagger with the braver grace.
For I have gold, and therefore will be brave.In silks I'll rattle it of every color.
Frog and lizard in holiday coatsAnd turtle brave in his golden spots.
Bold
Forward to meet danger; venturesome; daring; not timorous or shrinking from risk; brave; courageous.
Throngs of knights and barons bold.
Brave
A brave person; one who is daring.
The star-spangled banner, O,long may it waveO'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Bold
Exhibiting or requiring spirit and contempt of danger; planned with courage; daring; vigorous.
Brave
Specifically, an Indian warrior.
Bold
In a bad sense, too forward; taking undue liberties; over assuming or confident; lacking proper modesty or restraint; rude; impudent.
Thou art too wild, too rude and bold of voice.
Brave
A man daring beyond discretion; a bully.
Hot braves like thee may fight.
Bold
Somewhat overstepping usual bounds, or conventional rules, as in art, literature, etc.; taking liberties in composition or expression; as, the figures of an author are bold.
The cathedral church is a very bold work.
Brave
A challenge; a defiance; bravado.
Demetrius, thou dost overween in all;And so in this, to bear me down with braves.
Bold
Standing prominently out to view; markedly conspicuous; striking the eye; in high relief.
Shadows in painting . . . make the figure bolder.
Brave
To encounter with courage and fortitude; to set at defiance; to defy; to dare.
These I can brave, but those I can not bear.
Bold
Steep; abrupt; prominent.
Where the bold cape its warning forehead rears.
Brave
To adorn; to make fine or showy.
Thou [a tailor whom Grunio was browbeating] hast braved meny men; brave not me; I'll neither be faced or braved.
Bold
To make bold or daring.
Brave
A North American Indian warrior
Bold
To be or become bold.
Brave
People who are brave;
The home of the free and the brave
Bold
A typeface with thick heavy lines
Brave
Face or endure with courage;
She braved the elements
Bold
Fearless and daring;
Bold settlers on some foreign shore
A bold speech
A bold adventure
Brave
Possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching;
Familiarity with danger makes a brave man braver but less daring
A frank courageous heart...triumphed over pain
Set a courageous example by leading them safely into and out of enemy-held territory
Bold
Clear and distinct;
Bold handwriting
A figure carved in bold relief
A bold design
Brave
Invulnerable to fear or intimidation;
Audacious explorers
Fearless reporters and photographers
Intrepid pioneers
Bold
Very steep; having a prominent and almost vertical front;
A bluff headland
Where the bold chalk cliffs of England rise
A sheer descent of rock
Brave
Brightly colored and showy;
Girls decked out in brave new dresses
Brave banners flying
`braw' is a Scottish word
A dress a bit too gay for her years
Birds with gay plumage
Bold
Confident to the point of being assertive or audacious.
Her bold voice commanded attention.
Brave
Standing up against adversity or challenges.
The community was brave in its fight against injustice.
Bold
Unconventionally challenging accepted norms.
The artist's bold statement sparked debate.
Brave
Being ready to face and endure danger or pain.
He was brave enough to voice his unpopular opinion.
FAQs
What does Brave mean?
Brave means showing courage, especially when facing danger or adversity.
Does Bold always indicate confidence?
Often, but it can also mean standing out in terms of appearance or design.
How is Bold defined?
Bold refers to being daring, confident, or standing out prominently.
Can Brave be used as a noun?
Yes, e.g., "He is a brave."
Is Bold always positive?
Not necessarily; it can sometimes be seen as rash or too assertive.
Can someone be both Brave and Bold?
Yes, someone can display both courage in facing danger and daring audacity.
Are there synonyms for Brave?
Yes, such as courageous, valiant, and fearless.
Can a design be described as Bold?
Yes, if it stands out or is distinct.
Is Brave always about facing danger?
Not always; it can also mean enduring challenging situations courageously.
How is Bold used in typography?
It refers to a typeface with thick, heavy lines.
Can actions be described as Brave?
Yes, e.g., "It was a brave decision."
How do Brave and Bold differ in literature?
Brave characters face challenges with resilience, while Bold characters challenge norms.
What might a Bold color look like?
It would be vivid, striking, and attention-grabbing.
How about synonyms for Bold?
Daring, audacious, and brazen are some examples.
Which word emphasizes audacity more?
Bold typically emphasizes audacity or defiance more than Brave.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
