# bravado

/bɹəˈvɑdoʊ/ (US) · /bɹævˈɑːdəʊ/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bravado
Updated: 2026-05-25

## Definition

a show of courage or confidence that is actually a way to hide your fear. It is often used to describe someone who acts tough to impress others.

For teachers: a show of boldness or confidence, typically intended to mask underlying fear or insecurity. Often associated with a performative or theatrical display of courage.

## Examples

- He walked into the room with bravado to hide his nervousness.
- Despite his bravado during the interview, he spent the entire night preparing for every possible question.
- The protagonist's bravado serves as a narrative shield, allowing the audience to overlook the deep vulnerability and self-doubt that drive his every decision.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.