Coward Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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coward

[ˈkaʊərd ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

personality trait

A person who lacks the courage to face danger, difficulty, or pain.

Synonyms

chicken, weakling, wimp, yellow-belly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
coward	This word is used to describe someone who lacks courage and is afraid to face danger, difficulty, or pain. It is a straightforward term that is often used in serious contexts. He was branded a coward after he ran away from the fight. Being a coward, he never stood up for what he believed in.
chicken	This term is more informal and can be used in a teasing or playful manner. It's often used among friends or in situations where the tone is lighter. It can also be used to encourage someone to overcome their fear. Don't be such a chicken, try the rollercoaster! She called him a chicken when he refused to go into the haunted house.
wimp	This is a casual term used to describe someone who is not only afraid but also avoids any kind of challenge or confrontation. It carries a negative connotation and is often used to mock someone's lack of strength or bravery. Don't be a wimp, go talk to her! Everyone called him a wimp for skipping the gym.
yellow-belly	This is an old-fashioned and somewhat humorous term for a coward. It is less commonly used nowadays and might come off as outdated, but it can add a touch of humor or irony to a statement. He's just a yellow-belly who wouldn't dare to speak up. Only a yellow-belly would run from such a small problem.
weakling	This term implies physical weakness as well as lack of courage. It is often used to highlight someone's physical inability to face challenges, and can be derogatory. Stop acting like a weakling and lift that weight. He felt like a weakling compared to the other competitors.

Examples of usage

He was considered a coward for running away from the battle.
She called him a coward for not standing up for what is right.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

informal

A person who is easily frightened or intimidated.

Synonyms

chicken, pussy, scaredy-cat, wuss.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
coward	A person who lacks the courage to do something or is excessively afraid of danger or pain. He is a coward for not standing up to the bully. They called him a coward because he ran away from the fight.
scaredy-cat	A lighthearted and non-offensive term, often used with children or in a playful manner. Stop being a scaredy-cat and jump into the pool! The kids laughed and called the cat a scaredy-cat when it ran from the vacuum cleaner.
chicken	A common and informal way to call someone a coward, often used playfully. May be seen as slightly disrespectful in some contexts. Don't be such a chicken, it's just a rollercoaster. She didn't want to try the spicy food and they teased her, calling her a chicken.
wuss	An informal term, similar to 'chicken,' used to describe someone who lacks courage or strength. Can be considered mildly negative. He's such a wuss for not wanting to go camping in the rain. They called her a wuss when she refused to go on the scary ride.
pussy	A vulgar and highly offensive slang term used to insult someone as weak or cowardly. Strong negative connotation and should generally be avoided. He got called a pussy for not wanting to join in on the dangerous stunt. Using such language can be deeply hurtful and is inappropriate in most situations.

Examples of usage

Don't be such a coward, just speak up and defend yourself.
She always felt like a coward when it came to confronting her fears.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

literary

A person who lacks the bravery to stand up for their beliefs.

Synonyms

faint-hearted individual, spineless individual, timid person.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
coward	Used to describe someone who is afraid to face danger, pain, or difficulty. This word often has a negative connotation. He was called a coward for refusing to go into the haunted house. The soldier was branded a coward after he deserted his post.
timid person	Refers to someone who is shy or lacking in confidence rather than outright fearful. It is often used in a more neutral or even slightly sympathetic context. The dog was a timid person, always hiding behind his owner. Despite being a timid person, she managed to give a great presentation.
faint-hearted individual	Refers to someone who lacks courage or is easily scared. This phrase is a bit more formal and less abrasive than 'coward'. Only the brave will succeed; the faint-hearted individual need not apply. She was too faint-hearted to watch the horror movie alone.
spineless individual	Describes someone lacking in courage or strength of character. This term carries a very negative connotation, suggesting weakness and lack of integrity. He's such a spineless individual, always agreeing with whatever his boss says.

Examples of usage

In the novel, the character is portrayed as a coward who eventually finds the courage to fight for justice.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

Research suggests that fear can trigger a fight or flight response, where the 'flight' response can lead to perceived cowardice.
People often label others as cowards to project their own insecurities or fear of risk-taking.

Pop Culture

Many classic literature pieces, including Shakespeare's 'Henry IV,' explore themes of bravery and cowardice, showing cultural perceptions of fear.
Movies often portray cowards as comedic relief, like the character of the Cowardly Lion in 'The Wizard of Oz,' transforming fear into a journey of courage.

Literature

In George Orwell's 'Animal Farm,' the character Napoleon displays cowardly traits by using propaganda and violence to suppress dissent.
The concept of cowardice appears in many hero’s journeys, where characters must overcome their fears to prove their worth.

History

Historical texts often depict cowards in battle as a contrast to heroic figures, underscoring the value of bravery in wartime.
The term has been used in various political contexts, branding leaders or nations that avoid conflict as cowards.

Origin of 'coward'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from the Old French 'couard,' which was derived from 'coer,' meaning 'to tail' or 'to retreat,' linking the term to retreating in fear.
In medieval times, a coward was often associated with a 'tail' because animals that were scared would tuck their tails between their legs.

The word 'coward' originated in Middle English from the Old French word 'coard', meaning 'coward' or 'cowardly'. It has been used in the English language since the 13th century. The concept of cowardice has been a recurring theme in literature and human behavior, with various cultures and societies having different views on what constitutes cowardice.

See also: cow, cowboy, cowgirl, cowhand, cowherd, cowman, cowpoke, cowpuncher, cows, cowshed.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #13,750, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.

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