cowardly
adj. B1 Intermediate US //ˈkaʊɝdɫi// UK //kˈaʊədli// cow·ard·ly
adj. showing a lack of courage. You use this word to describe someone who is afraid to face danger or difficulty.
adj. lacking courage or resolution; characterized by fear or timidity. Often used attributively before a noun or predicatively after a linking verb.
The cowardly dog hid under the bed.
He made a cowardly decision to leave the party early instead of facing his boss.
The general was criticized for his cowardly retreat, which allowed the enemy forces to advance unchecked and seize the strategic high ground.
From Middle English *cowardly (adjective) and cowardly (adverb), equivalent to coward + -ly. Displaced native Old English earg.