Word
cowardly
Phoneticscow·ard·ly, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈkaʊɝdɫi/
UK/kˈaʊədli/
Definitions
01lacking courage
B1 · Intermediate
adj. lacking courage or being easily made afraid, especially when you should be brave.
adj. demonstrating a lack of courage or resolution when faced with danger, pain, or difficulty.
“It was a cowardly act to run away and leave his friends behind.”
“The anonymous letters were widely condemned as a cowardly attempt to undermine the minister's reputation without facing public scrutiny.”
Usage
Primarily used as an attributive adjective before a noun or after a linking verb.
Pitfall
He acted cowardly during the crisis.
He acted in a cowardly way during the crisis.
Although it ends in -ly, 'cowardly' is almost always an adjective. To describe an action, use 'in a cowardly way' or 'in a cowardly manner'.
Teaching tip
Learners often mistake this for an adverb because of the -ly suffix; remind them it functions like 'friendly' or 'lovely'.
Antonyms
02in a fearful manner
C2 · Proficiency Archaic
adv. doing something in a way that shows you are afraid.
adv. in the manner of a coward; exhibiting cowardice through one's actions.
“The knight behaved cowardly and hid while the battle began.”
“He lived cowardly, ever fearful that his past indiscretions would eventually come to light.”
Usage
This adverbial use is rare in modern English; 'cowardlily' exists but is also largely obsolete.
Teaching tip
This sense is found in period literature; advise students to use 'in a cowardly manner' for modern contexts.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology
From Middle English *cowardly (adjective) and cowardly (adverb), equivalent to coward + -ly. Displaced native Old English earg.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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