# bravo

/ˈbɹɑvoʊ/ (US) · /bɹˈɑːvəʊ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bravo
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. well done

interjection · CEFR B1

you say this to show you enjoyed a performance or that someone did a great job.

For teachers: used to express acclaim or approval, particularly following a musical or theatrical performance.

- The audience stood up and shouted bravo after the final song.
- Bravo, the critic whispered to his companion, impressed by the lead actor's nuanced portrayal of the tragic hero.

Usage: Often used as a standalone exclamation immediately following a performance.

### 2. a shout of praise

noun · CEFR B2

the actual shout or cry of the word 'bravo'.

For teachers: a cry of 'bravo' intended as a tribute to a performer.

- A loud bravo came from the back of the hall as the pianist finished.
- The performance was met with a chorus of bravos and a five-minute standing ovation from the delighted crowd.

### 3. to cheer

verb · CEFR C2 · Literary

to cheer for someone by shouting 'bravo'.

For teachers: to acclaim or applaud a performer specifically by shouting the word 'bravo'.

- The crowd began to bravo the singer before she even finished the note.
- The audience continued to bravo the conductor long after he had left the podium, refusing to let the evening end.

Usage: This verbal use is rare in modern speech and is primarily found in older literature.

### 4. hired killer

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

a person who is paid to hurt or kill others.

For teachers: a hired soldier or assassin; a daring villain.

- In the old story, the king sent a bravo to deal with his enemies.
- The protagonist found himself cornered in a dark alleyway by a masked bravo wielding a jagged blade.

Teaching tip: This sense is historical and literary; modern speakers use 'hitman' or 'assassin' instead.

## Examples

- Bravo! That was a wonderful performance.
- The audience stood up and shouted bravo as the lead singer finished her final song.
- As the curtain fell on the final act, a solitary voice from the balcony cried bravo, sparking a thunderous standing ovation that lasted for several minutes.

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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.