Bravado: meaning, definitions and examples
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bravado
[ brəˈvɑː.dəʊ ]
showing off
Bravado is a bold manner or a show of boldness intended to impress or intimidate. It often involves exaggerated confidence or courage, sometimes to mask fear or insecurity.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| bravado |
Used when someone is making a show of bravery or confidence, often to make an impression or conceal their fears.
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| swagger |
Implies a confident and sometimes arrogant or boastful walk or demeanor, which can be either positive or negative depending on the context.
|
| bluster |
Describes loud, aggressive, or indignant talk that is often empty or without real power behind it.
|
| cockiness |
Refers to an overconfident or arrogant attitude, usually seen negatively.
|
Examples of usage
- He strutted around the room with bravado, trying to appear confident in front of his peers.
- Her bravado was just a façade to hide her true feelings of doubt and uncertainty.
- The bravado of the young boy quickly disappeared when faced with a real challenge.
music
Bravado is also a term used in music to describe a piece that requires a display of technical skill and virtuosity, often showcasing the performer's abilities.
Synonyms
flair, flamboyance, showmanship.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| bravado |
Bravado is typically used to describe a display of boldness intended to impress or intimidate others, often considered as fake or exaggerated confidence.
|
Examples of usage
- The pianist's bravado during the concerto impressed the audience with his mastery of the instrument.
- She tackled the challenging piece with bravado, demonstrating her talent and precision.
Translations
Translations of the word "bravado" in other languages:
🇵🇹 bravata
🇮🇳 दिखावा
🇩🇪 Prahlerei
🇮🇩 pameran
🇺🇦 бравада
🇵🇱 brawura
🇯🇵 虚勢 (kyosei)
🇫🇷 fanfaronnade
🇪🇸 fanfarronería
🇹🇷 gösteriş
🇰🇷 허세 (heose)
🇸🇦 تبجح
🇨🇿 chvástání
🇸🇰 chvastúnstvo
🇨🇳 虚张声势 (xūzhāngshēngshì)
🇸🇮 bahatost
🇮🇸 grobb
🇰🇿 мақтаншақтық
🇬🇪 ქედმაღლობა (kedmaghloba)
🇦🇿 lovğalıq
🇲🇽 fanfarronería
Etymology
The word 'bravado' originated from the Spanish word 'bravada', meaning 'brave'. It first appeared in the English language in the mid-16th century. Initially, it was used to describe a show of bravery or courage, but over time, it has evolved to also encompass a sense of exaggerated confidence or boldness. Bravado is often associated with a display of strength or prowess, whether genuine or merely for show.
See also: braveheart, bravely, braver, bravery, braving.