daredevil

daredevil — noun

1. someone who willingly puts themself in physically risky situations purely for th

1.nounB2
Definition

someone who willingly puts themself in physically risky situations purely for the thrill, without caring much about the possibility of getting hurt

Example

A daredevil jumped off the bridge with only a small parachute.

collocation: daredevil + jump off [something]

The villagers watched as Renata, a local daredevil, balanced on the edge of the cliff.

Common collocations
  • local daredevil
  • young daredevil
  • a daredevil who...
  • act like a daredevil
Synonyms
  • risk-taker

    neutral; does not carry the suggestion of foolishness that daredevil often does

  • thrill-seeker

    emphasises the craving for excitement rather than the danger itself

  • stuntman

    professional; a daredevil who performs dangerous acts as a job for films or shows

  • adventurer

    more positive; suggests exploration and courage rather than recklessness

Antonyms
  • cautious person

    someone who avoids unnecessary danger

  • coward

    strongly negative; opposite of showing any boldness

Grammar Patterns

a daredevil

the daredevil [who...]

Usage Note

Often used to describe someone whom the speaker considers more reckless than brave. The tone can be admiring, critical, or joking, depending on the context.

Common Mistakes

My uncle is a real daredevil — he loves reading history books.
My uncle is a real daredevil
he loves skydiving and climbing cliffs.' — A daredevil takes physical, not intellectual, risks.

daredevil — adjective

Word family

  • daredevilry
    nounC1
  • daredeviltry
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe someone who seeks out dangerous or unusual experiences, but they differ in connotation and scope. A 'risk-taker' is the most neutral term — it can apply to business, personal life, or physical danger with no judgment attached. A 'thrill-seeker' focuses on the emotional reward: this person does risky things because the excitement is the goal. An 'adventurer' carries a more positive, even noble tone — think of someone exploring jungles or climbing mountains for discovery rather than a cheap thrill. A 'stuntman' is strictly professional: a trained performer who does dangerous acts as a paid job in films or shows. 'Daredevil' sits between these: like 'thrill-seeker' it implies the person enjoys the rush, but it also hints that the speaker considers the risk unnecessary or foolish. For example, 'The bank robber was a daredevil who walked into the building without a mask' sounds fitting, but 'The explorer was a daredevil who discovered a new species' would sound odd — you would use 'adventurer' instead.

risk-takerthrill-seeker ↗adventurer ↗stuntman

Common collocations

Phrases

  • like a daredevil
  • act like a daredevil
  • true daredevil

Etymology

English

Formed from English 'dare' (to have the courage to do something) + 'devil', suggesting a person bold enough to challenge the devil himself. The word first appeared in the late 1700s and was originally used to describe a recklessly brave person.