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Definition of bravado

bravado

/brəˈvɑːdoʊ/
bra · va · do
Plural:bravados
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bravado Lexical Profile

bravado Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A bold, swaggering, or ostentatious display of courage, confidence, or defiance, typically intended to impress others or conceal underlying fear or insecurity.

Example

"Despite his confident bravado during the rehearsal, the young actor was visibly nervous before stepping onto the stage."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for bravado
Antonyms
View all antonyms for bravado

Word Nuance & Usage

Unlike "bravery," which denotes genuine courage in the face of adversity, "bravado" specifically implies a false, pretentious, or swaggering display of boldness intended to impress others or mask underlying fear.

• Rhymes for bravado

• Nearby Words

bratwurst
braun
brava
bravado
brave
bravehearted
bravely

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late 16th century from Spanish bravada, via French bravade, ultimately from Old Italian bravata ("boasting, bragging"), derived from bravo meaning "bold" or "untamed."

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Bravado. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/bravado
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