courage

courage — noun

1. the quality of being able to stay calm and take action even though you feel afra

1.nounB2
Definition

the quality of being able to stay calm and take action even though you feel afraid, especially when facing physical danger or pain

Example

Tendai showed great courage when he ran into the burning house to save his neighbour.

show courage + to-infinitive for brave action

Aylin needed a lot of courage to speak in front of two hundred people.

it takes + [amount of] courage + for [person] + to-infinitive

Common collocations
  • show courage
  • have the courage to do something
  • find the courage to do something
  • summon (up) the courage
  • physical courage
  • great courage
  • remarkable courage
  • personal courage
Synonyms
  • bravery

    more about bold action, often used for soldiers or heroes; slightly less emphasis on inner fear

  • valour

    formal, especially in military contexts (UK spelling); very strong and heroic connotation

  • nerve

    informal; can mean courage (positive) or confidence bordering on rudeness (negative)

Antonyms
  • cowardice

    the opposite quality — lack of courage, especially when facing danger

  • timidity

    shyness or lack of confidence that prevents action

Grammar Patterns

have/show/find + courage + to-infinitive

take/require + courage

Usage Note

Frequently used in contexts where someone overcomes fear to help others or achieve something difficult. Common collocation patterns: 'have the courage to', 'find the courage to', 'summon up the courage to'.

Common Mistakes

He had the courage to play loud music at night disturbing everyone.
He had the nerve to play loud music at night disturbing everyone.
'courage' implies facing fear for a good reason; 'nerve' is used for negative boldness or cheekiness.

2. the ability to act according to your principles even when doing so involves pers

2.nounB2
Definition

the ability to act according to your principles even when doing so involves personal risk or opposition from other people

Example

Aarav had the courage to report the unfair treatment at his workplace to the manager.

have the courage + to-infinitive — moral conviction

It takes real courage to stand up for your principles when everyone around you disagrees.

moral courage + stand up for

Common collocations
  • moral courage
  • have the courage of your convictions
  • lack the courage to
  • courage to speak up
  • courage to do what is right
Synonyms
  • conviction

    focuses on strength of belief itself, not the act of overcoming fear

  • backbone

    informal; implies firmness of character and unwillingness to give in to pressure

  • integrity

    the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; overlaps with moral courage but broader

Antonyms
  • spinelessness

    informal; lack of moral strength or willingness to stand up for what is right

Grammar Patterns

have the courage + to-infinitive

moral courage + to-infinitive

Usage Note

Often combined with 'moral' to distinguish this sense from sense 1 (physical courage). The focus is on ethical conviction rather than overcoming fear of physical danger. Common in discussions about justice, whistleblowing, and personal integrity.

Common Mistakes

She had the courage to quit her job without any plan for next month.
She had the courage to speak up about the unfair salaries at her company.
Courage (sense 2) is about doing what is right or principled, not about taking reckless risks.
Idioms

screw up your courage

idiom

to force yourself to become brave enough to do something that you are afraid of doing

Theo screwed up his courage and knocked on the director's door to ask for a second chance.

Emma screwed up her courage and jumped off the high diving board into the cold pool.

take courage from something

idiom

to begin to feel happier and more confident because of something that gives you hope or support

The family took courage from the doctor's words and kept hoping for a full recovery.

Rodrigo took courage from the fact that so many people had offered to help him.

take your courage in both hands

idiom

to make yourself do something that you are afraid of, by consciously deciding to overcome your fear

Quan took his courage in both hands and finally asked his neighbour to turn down the loud music.

The shy student took her courage in both hands and signed up for the school debate competition.

have/lack the courage of your convictions

idiom

To act according to your beliefs, or to fail to do so because you are afraid.

Maya had the courage of her convictions and spoke against the policy.

Did Diego lack the courage of his convictions when he stayed silent?

take courage (from something)

idiom

To become more hopeful or confident because of something that happens or someone says.

Sara took courage from her coach's encouraging words before the match.

Taking courage from the team's support, Aiden decided to try again.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words relate to facing difficulty or danger, but they differ in register, connotation, and scope. Courage is the broadest term — it implies conscious awareness of fear and the decision to act despite it. Bravery focuses more on bold, visible action; a brave person may simply not show fear, while a courageous person feels fear but acts anyway. Valour is a formal, old-fashioned word strongly associated with military heroism and is rarely used in everyday speech. Nerve is the most informal; it can mean courage in a positive sense ('He had the nerve to try the dangerous climb') but more often carries a negative connotation of boldness bordering on cheekiness ('She had the nerve to criticise my work'). For everyday use, courage and bravery cover most situations; valour belongs in historical or ceremonial writing.

courage ↗bravery ↗valournerve ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • act of courage
  • display of courage
  • lack of courage
  • feat of courage

Adverbs

Phrases

  • have the courage to
  • find the courage to
  • summon up the courage to
  • pluck up the courage to
  • take courage from
  • screw up your courage

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

Courage comes from the Old French word corage, meaning 'heart' or 'innermost feelings'. This in turn came from Latin cor ('heart'). In medieval times the heart was considered the seat of emotion, spirit, and character — so having 'heart' meant having the inner strength to face danger. The spelling shifted to 'courage' in Middle English, and the modern meaning of 'bravery in the face of fear' became firmly established by the 14th century.