English Reference

Word

intrepid

Phoneticsin·trepid

US/ɪnˈtɹɛpəd/

UK/ɪntɹˈɛpɪd/

Definition

adj. brave and not afraid of danger or difficult situations. You use this to describe someone who explores new places or tries things that others might find scary.

adj. characterised by resolute fearlessness, fortitude, and endurance. Often used in a slightly humorous or admiring way to describe explorers or travelers.

Examples

“The intrepid explorer traveled deep into the jungle.”

“An intrepid group of hikers reached the summit despite the freezing temperatures and heavy snow.”

“While others hesitated at the edge of the uncharted territory, the intrepid researchers pushed forward, driven by a desire to document rare species previously unknown to science.”

Examples

simple

“The intrepid explorer traveled deep into the jungle.”

contextual

“An intrepid group of hikers reached the summit despite the freezing temperatures and heavy snow.”

complex

“While others hesitated at the edge of the uncharted territory, the intrepid researchers pushed forward, driven by a desire to document rare species previously unknown to science.”

Usage

Typically used attributively before a noun; often collocates with 'explorer', 'traveler', or 'reporter'.

Real-World Examples

“Going south of the river to Millwall is somehow viewed as different, the short train ride from London Bridge treated as an intrepid journey into some hostile alien planet.”
The Guardian · 18 Sept 2026
“Relatives remembered her as “an intrepid adventurer” who was “brave, kind, witty and endlessly loving”.”
The Guardian · 24 Aug 2026

Etymology

From French intrépide, from Latin intrepidus, from in- (“not”) + trepidus (“anxious, nervous”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

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English Reference