dare

dare — verb

1. to be willing to go through with frightening, difficult, or socially embarrassin

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveB1
Definition

to be willing to go through with frightening, difficult, or socially embarrassing acts despite your fear

Example

Eitan did not dare to argue with his strict teacher, so he stayed quiet.

negative main verb: did not dare + to-infinitive

I hardly dare breathe when my father is in a bad mood.

Common collocations
  • hardly dare
  • daren't
  • dare to disagree
  • dare to hope
Synonyms
  • venture

    more formal; implies a calculated risk, often in unfamiliar territory

  • have the nerve

    informal; emphasises social boldness rather than physical courage

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

dare + (to-)infinitive

dare not + bare infinitive (modal)

do not dare + to-infinitive (main verb)

Usage Note

In negative and interrogative sentences, 'dare' can behave as a modal verb (no 'to' after it, no auxiliary 'do'), especially in British English: 'I daren't ask.' In positive statements, it always behaves as a regular main verb: 'She dared to disagree.' Common fixed expressions include 'how dare you' (anger or shock), 'don't you dare' (warning), and 'I dare say' (supposition).

Common Mistakes

I dare not to go.
I dare not go.' (modal pattern)
In the negative modal pattern, do not add 'to' between 'dare' and the main verb.
She didn't dared to answer.
She didn't dare to answer.
After 'did', use the base form 'dare', not 'dared'.

2. to urge someone to do a risky or embarrassing thing as a way of showing that the

2.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to urge someone to do a risky or embarrassing thing as a way of showing that they are brave

Example

The children dared each other to jump from the old bridge into the cold river.

dare + object + to-infinitive

Reuben dared his little sister to eat a whole lemon, and she actually did it.

Common collocations
  • dare someone to
  • I dare you
  • dare each other
Synonyms
  • challenge

    more general; does not specifically test courage

  • provoke

    stronger; intended to cause anger or irritation rather than to test bravery

Grammar Patterns

dare + someone + to-infinitive

Usage Note

Most commonly used in the expression 'I dare you to…' as a playful or competitive challenge between friends, especially among children and teenagers. The person making the dare expects the other person to feel nervous about accepting.

Common Mistakes

I dare you jumping over the wall.
I dare you to jump over the wall.
The verb after the object must be a to-infinitive, not a gerund.
She dared me and I accepted.
She dared me to do it, and I accepted.
The verb 'dare' in this sense usually needs the action specified.

3. to openly resist or refuse to obey a person, rule, or system that has power, kno

3.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to openly resist or refuse to obey a person, rule, or system that has power, knowing there could be negative consequences

Example

A group of teenagers dared the school rules by wearing baseball caps in class.

dare + noun (rule/authority/danger)

Dewi dared the winter storm and drove into the mountains to find her missing brother.

Common collocations
  • dare authority
  • dare the odds
  • dare convention
  • dare the elements
Synonyms
  • defy

    very close in meaning; 'defy' may feel slightly less confrontational

  • brave

    specifically for facing danger or unpleasantness with courage

Antonyms
  • submit to

    accept the authority of someone or something

  • obey

    follow rules or orders without resistance

Grammar Patterns

dare + noun phrase (rule / authority / danger)

Usage Note

Stronger than 'disobey'; implies doing something openly while fully aware of the risk. The object is often an abstract authority (law, convention, fate) or a dangerous natural force (storm, sea, wilderness).

Common Mistakes

He dared his boss by coming late.
He dared his boss's anger by coming late.
This sense requires an object that the person is defying, not a person being challenged.
Idioms

don’t you dare!

idiom

Used to strongly warn someone not to do something.

Don't you dare touch my phone, Maya.

If you tell Mom, don't you dare!

how dare you, etc.

idiom

Used to express anger about something someone has done.

How dare you speak to me that way, Brian?

How dare he take my book without asking?

I dare say

idiom

Used to say that something is probably true.

I dare say you are right about the weather.

I dare say Sara will arrive late again.

dare — noun

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four expressions involve acting despite potential danger or difficulty, but they differ in formality and focus. 'Dare' is the most general and neutral, covering physical courage ('dare to jump'), social bravery ('dare to speak up'), and the fixed negative expressions ('don't you dare'). 'Venture' is more formal and suggests a calculated step into the unknown, such as venturing into a new market or unfamiliar territory. 'Risk' emphasises the chance of loss or harm and is usually followed by a specific negative outcome ('risk losing your job', 'risk your health'). 'Have the nerve' is informal and carries a slightly critical tone, pointing to social audacity or cheek rather than physical bravery ('She had the nerve to complain about the free meal'). Use 'dare' for everyday acts of courage, 'venture' for exploratory or formal risks, and 'have the nerve' when you think someone is being unreasonably bold.

dare ↗venture ↗risk ↗have the nerve

Common collocations

Adverbs

  • hardly dare
  • scarcely dare

Phrases

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'dare' comes from Old English 'durran', meaning 'to be bold' or 'to have courage'. It belongs to a family of Germanic verbs expressing boldness, including Old High German 'turran' and Gothic 'gadaursan'. The ultimate root is an ancient Indo-European word that also gave Ancient Greek 'tharseō' (I am confident) and Sanskrit 'dhṛṣṇoti' (he dares). The noun form appeared later in Middle English, while the modal-auxiliary use developed naturally from the core sense of having enough courage.