English Dictionary

Definition of “dare”

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dare (dɛəPronunciation for dare) 

Definitions

verb

  1. (tr) to challenge (a person to do something) as proof of courage
  2. (can take an infinitive with or without to) to be courageous enough to try (to do something)  ⇒ she dares to dress differently from the others you wouldn't dare! 
  3. (tr) rare to oppose without fear; defy
  4. See I dare say

noun

  1. a challenge to do something as proof of courage
  2. something done in response to such a challenge

Alternative Forms

ˈdarer noun

Word Origin

Old English durran ; related to Old High German turran to venture

Synonyms

View thesaurus entry
= risk doing venture, have the courage have the nerve be brave enough presume, have the audacity make bold hazard doing brave doing be so bold as take the liberty of doing
= challenge, provoke, defy, taunt, goad, throw down the gauntlet,

Quotations

  • "Who dares wins" Motto of the British SAS regiment

Translations

  • British English: dare Pronunciation for dare If you dare to do something, you are brave enough to do it.Most people don't dare to argue with him.dɛə VERB Most people don't dare to argue with him.
  • Spanish: atreverse Pronunciation for atreverse v
  • French: oser Pronunciation for oser v
  • German: wagen Pronunciation for wagen v
  • Chinese: 敢于Pronunciation for 敢于 v
  • Arabic: يَجْرُؤُPronunciation for يَجْرُؤُ v
  • Portuguese: ousarPronunciation for ousar v
  • Russian: осмеливатьсяPronunciation for осмеливаться v
  • Croatian: usuditi sePronunciation for usuditi se v
  • Czech: troufnout (si)Pronunciation for troufnout (si) v troufat (si)
  • Danish: vovePronunciation for vove v
  • Dutch: uitdagenPronunciation for uitdagen v
  • Finnish: uskaltaaPronunciation for uskaltaa v
  • Greek: τολμώPronunciation for τολμώ v
  • Italian: osarePronunciation for osare v
  • Japanese: 思い切って･･･するPronunciation for 思い切って･･･する v
  • Korean: 감히 ...하다Pronunciation for 감히 ...하다 v
  • Norwegian: vågePronunciation for våge v
  • Polish: ośmielić sięPronunciation for ośmielić się v ośmielać się
  • Brazilian Portuguese: ousarPronunciation for ousar v
  • European Spanish: atreverse Pronunciation for atreverse v
  • Swedish: vågaPronunciation for våga v
  • Thai: กล้าPronunciation for กล้า v
  • Turkish: cüret etmekPronunciation for cüret etmek v
  • Vietnamese: dámPronunciation for dám v

Usage examples

  • I dare say it's a story the young man told any number of customers at the restaurant.
    Anthony Masters, CASCADES - THE DAY OF THE DEAD (2001)
  • How dare its Cold War-style giant laboratories in America dare to offer a powerful, proprietary 3G handset operating system!
    Spiked (2003)
  • Some have done so well they wouldn't dare think of taking in renters to help pay the bills.
    Globe and Mail (2003)
  • Like the Scottish play, it is the symphony that dare not mention its name, or, rather, number.
    Glasgow Herald (2001)
  • A strip of carpet up the middle of the room helped to hush the footfalls of any who might dare to walk noisily.
    Will Davenport, THE PAINTER (2003)

Commonness

All English words that begin with 'D'

Related Terms

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