boldly

boldly — adverb

1. with courage and open confidence, especially when speaking up or taking a risk.

1.adverbB2
Definition

with courage and open confidence, especially when speaking up or taking a risk.

Example

Leila boldly told the coach that the team needed a rest day.

boldly + tell + that-clause

The small shop boldly opened a second branch during the rainy season.

boldly + risky business action

Common collocations
  • speak boldly
  • ask boldly
  • act boldly
  • boldly tell somebody
  • boldly walk into
Synonyms
  • bravely

    often stresses facing danger, pain, or emotional difficulty more directly

  • confidently

    can be calmer and does not always imply real risk

  • fearlessly

    stronger, suggesting almost no fear at all

  • daringly

    highlights a striking or surprising risk

Antonyms
  • timidly

    shows a lack of courage or self-belief

  • cautiously

    focuses on avoiding danger rather than pushing forward

  • hesitantly

    stresses delay or uncertainty before acting

Grammar Patterns

speak boldly

boldly ask for something

boldly say that-clause

act boldly

Usage Note

Common with verbs of speaking, questioning, entering, and starting something risky. It often suggests going beyond ordinary caution, so it is stronger than simply confidently in calm situations.

Common Mistakes

Ravi asked bold for a later train.
Ravi asked boldly for a later train.
use the adverb to describe how he asked.
Leila spoke boldly so the back row could hear her.
Leila spoke loudly so the back row could hear her.
boldly is about courage, not volume.

Word family

  • bold
    adjectiveB2
  • boldness
    nounC1
  • embolden
    verbC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

'Boldly' overlaps with 'bravely', 'confidently', 'fearlessly', and 'daringly', but the focus is not exactly the same. 'Bravely' often points to real danger, pain, or emotional difficulty, so a patient may smile bravely before surgery. 'Confidently' can be calmer and does not always imply risk; a student can answer confidently in a class she knows well. 'Fearlessly' is stronger and suggests almost no fear at all. 'Daringly' highlights a surprising or risky step, sometimes one that shocks other people. Use 'boldly' when someone speaks, acts, or moves forward with clear courage and self-belief, especially by doing what others hesitate to do. Compare: 'Ravi boldly challenged the plan' and 'Mina confidently explained the answer.'

boldly ↗bravely ↗confidently ↗fearlessly ↗daringly

Common collocations

Phrases

  • speak boldly
  • act boldly
  • boldly ask
  • boldly say that

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishModern English

Boldly comes from the adjective 'bold' plus the adverb ending '-ly'. 'Bold' goes back to Old English forms meaning brave, confident, and strong in spirit. The adverb kept that idea and came to describe speaking or acting with courage, and later also taking striking or risky steps with confidence.