Comprehensive
Dictionary Suite
Help
Help
Help
 
     
Lookup History
dare

dare

 
 
pronunciation:
deIr
parts of speech:
intransitive verb, transitive verb, noun, auxiliary verb
features:
Word Combinations (verb, noun), Word Explorer
part of speech: intransitive verb
inflections: dares, daring, dared
definition: to be courageous enough or reckless enough to do something.
She dared to tell the truth when everyone else was silent.He would never dare to do the wild and adventurous things his brother did.
similar words:
adventure, venture
 
part of speech: transitive verb
definition: to provoke or challenge (someone) into doing something dangerous or adventurous as a test of courage.
The other kids dared him to jump off the bridge.
synonyms:
challenge, defy
similar words:
provoke, taunt
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
 
part of speech: noun
definition: an act of daring; challenge.
He jumped into the river on a dare.They knocked on the door of the dilapidated old house as part of a dare.
similar words:
bet, challenge, provocation
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
 
part of speech: auxiliary verb
definition: (somewhat old-fashioned) to have the courage or audacity to do something (usu. used in the negative or interrogative)
Do I dare tell her the truth?How dare you accuse me of such a thing!I dare not see you tonight, though I dearly wish it!
Word Explorer
See
  behavior, fear