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Courageous

/kəˈreɪdʒəs/

adjectiveB2

Definition

Being courageous means having the strength to do something difficult or scary even when you feel afraid. It is about facing challenges or risks with bravery and confidence. People who are courageous do not give up easily when problems come.

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⚡ See It in Action

Showing bravery in dangerous or difficult situations

  • •The courageous soldier saved his friends during the battle.
  • •She was courageous to speak in front of the large crowd.
  • •It takes a courageous person to try new things that are hard.

Acting with confidence despite fear or uncertainty

  • •Starting a new job in a different country is a courageous decision.
  • •The team made a courageous effort to finish the project on time.

🧲 Make It Stick

  • ✓Think of "courageous" like "brave" (A2 word), but with a stronger feeling of facing fear or danger directly.
  • ✓Picture a firefighter running into a burning building to save someone, even though it is dangerous.
  • ✓It's the feeling you get when you stand up for yourself or others, even if you feel scared inside.
  • ✓Sounds like "core-AGE-ous" → imagine the "core" (center) of your heart filled with strong "age" (power) to face fear.
  • ✓Remember heroes in stories or movies who do hard things to help others, like knights or superheroes.
  • ✓NOT like "careless" (not careful), "courageous" means careful but brave.
  • ✓NOT like "reckless" (ignoring danger), courageous people know the risk but choose to act anyway.
  • ✓NOT just "strong" (physical power), courageous is about mental strength to face fear.

🔄 Try Other Words

  • •Brave: showing no fear (Use when the situation is everyday or less serious)
  • •Bold: willing to take risks (Use when someone acts confidently, sometimes without thinking about danger)
  • •Fearless: having no fear (Use when someone does not feel scared at all)
  • •Heroic: very brave, like a hero (Use when the action is very important or impressive)

🔍 Unboxing

  • •Prefix: (none)
  • •Root: "courage" (meaning bravery or strength to face fear)
  • •Suffix: "-ous" (an adjective ending meaning "full of" or "having the quality of")
  • •Etymology: From Latin "coraticus," related to "cor" meaning heart, showing strength from the heart
  • •Historical development: The word evolved to describe people who have mental or moral strength to face danger or pain
  • •Modern usage: Used to describe people or actions that show bravery in difficult or scary situations

💭 Reflect & Connect

•Can someone be courageous without being fearless? How do courage and fear work together?
•Think about a time when you were courageous. What helped you act bravely even if you were scared?

Fill in the blanks with the correct word:

1.The firefighter was courageous because he entered the ___ building to save people.
2.She felt nervous but was courageous enough to ___ her speech in front of the crowd.
3.Being courageous does not mean you have no fear; it means you ___ your fear to do what is right.
4.Unlike reckless actions, courageous acts are done with ___ and understanding of the risks.
5.The team made a courageous ___ to finish the project despite many problems.
6.A courageous person often shows ___ when facing new and unknown challenges.
7.When someone is called courageous, it usually means they acted despite ___ or danger.