dare
dare Lexical Profile
dare Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To have the courage, boldness, or impudence to do something difficult or dangerous.
"Few mountain climbers dare to ascend the peak during the winter storm season."
To challenge or provoke someone to do something risky or bold in order to prove their courage.
"She dared her friend to knock on the door of the abandoned house."
To confront or face a danger, difficulty, or adversary boldly and without fear.
"The explorers were prepared to dare any peril on their voyage across the uncharted sea."
• noun
A challenge or provocation to do something risky, difficult, or bold as a test of courage.
"He jumped into the icy lake on a dare from his older brother."
Word Nuance & Usage
As a verb, 'dare' can function both as a regular lexical verb taking 'to' plus an infinitive (e.g., 'He does not dare to speak') and as a semi-modal verb followed by a bare infinitive without 'to', especially in negative and interrogative clauses (e.g., 'How dare you speak to me like that?' or 'She dare not complain').
• Rhymes for dare
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'dearr' (first and third person singular present indicative of 'durran', meaning 'to brave or venture'), descending from Proto-Germanic '*durzana' and ultimately from the Proto-Indo-European root '*dhers-' ('to be bold').