courage
n. uncountablen. the ability to do something that frightens you. It is the strength to face pain, danger, or difficult situations without letting fear stop you.
n. the mental or moral strength to confront fear, pain, danger, or uncertainty. It involves persevering in the face of difficulty rather than avoiding it.
It takes courage to speak in front of a large crowd.
The firefighter showed immense courage when she ran into the burning building to rescue the trapped family.
True courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the conscious decision that a particular goal is more important than the immediate threat to one's safety or reputation.
From Middle English corage, from Old French corage (French courage), from Vulgar Latin *corāticum, from Latin cor (“heart”). Distantly related to cardiac (“of the heart”), which is from Greek, but from the same Proto-Indo-European root. Displaced Middle English elne, ellen, from Old English ellen (“courage, valor”).
Frequently followed by an infinitive verb phrase ('courage to do something') or paired with the preposition 'in' ('courage in the face of').
- 01
courage of one's convictions
Steadfast adherence to one's beliefs or principles, especially in the face of criticism or other opposition.
- 02
digital courage
The sense of being able or emboldened to say something to someone over digital media (text, instant message, etc.) that one would not normally say face to face.
- 03
Dutch courage
The courage or bravado induced by alcohol.