Courage vs. Brave — What's the Difference?

By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 24, 2024

Courage is a quality of being ready to face dangers or difficulties, while brave is an adjective describing someone exhibiting courage.

Courage vs. Brave — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Courage and Brave

Key Differences

Courage involves the mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger or difficulty. Brave, on the other hand, refers to displaying courage, especially in a way that is admirable or noticeable in one's actions.

Courage can manifest in various forms, like the courage to speak one's mind or to make a stand for what one believes in, whereas being brave often involves physical acts, such as rushing into a burning building to save someone.

Courage is sometimes seen as a sustained trait, one that is developed and demonstrated over time through consistent behavior. Conversely, being brave can be seen as a momentary display of daring or boldness in the face of a specific challenge.

People often require courage to make difficult decisions, like choosing to leave an unhealthy relationship, while brave acts might involve immediate, instinctive reactions to sudden incidents.

While courage is often associated with enduring or coping with long-term challenges, such as battling an illness, being brave is frequently linked to shorter, more acute situations that require quick, decisive action.

Comparison Chart

Definition

The ability to face and deal with difficulties

The quality of showing mental or physical strength in the face of fear or difficulty

Usage

Often used as a noun

Primarily used as an adjective

Examples of Context

Facing long-term challenges

Immediate, acute situations

Relation to Time

Long-term endurance

Momentary action

Common Combinations

Moral courage, personal courage

Brave decision, brave person

Compare with Definitions

Courage

The ability to do something that frightens one.

He showed his courage by agreeing to tackle the difficult project.

Brave

Ready to face and endure danger or pain; showing courage.

The brave firefighter saved three children from the burning house.

Courage

Personal bravery in the face of fear.

It requires courage to move to a new city alone.

Brave

Possessing or exhibiting courage or courageous endurance.

A brave decision to quit a high-paying job for a more fulfilling career.

Courage

The quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty without fear.

It took a lot of courage for her to speak up during the meeting.

Brave

Excellent or splendid; "What a brave world".

They sailed the brave blue sea.

Courage

Strength in the face of pain or grief.

She displayed great courage throughout her illness.

Brave

Making a fine appearance.

He cut a brave figure in his new suit.

Courage

The choice and willingness to confront agony, pain, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation.

They had the courage to stand up against injustice.

Brave

Bold; having a bold spirit.

She was brave enough to volunteer first.

Courage

Courage (also called bravery or valour) is the choice and willingness to confront agony, pain, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation. Valour is courage or bravery, especially in battle.

Brave

Possessing or displaying courage.

Courage

The ability to do something that frightens one; bravery

She called on all her courage to face the ordeal

Brave

Making a fine display; impressive or showy

“a coat of brave red lipstick on a mouth so wrinkled that it didn't even have a clear outline” (Anne Tyler).

Courage

The state or quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face danger, fear, or vicissitudes with self-possession, confidence, and resolution; bravery.

Brave

Excellent; great

“The Romans were like brothers / In the brave days of old” (Thomas Macaulay).

Courage

The quality of being confident, not afraid or easily intimidated, but without being incautious or inconsiderate.

It takes a lot of courage to be successful in business.

Brave

(used with a pl. verb) People who exhibit bravery or courage considered as a group

“O'er the land of the free / And the home of the brave” (Francis Scott Key).

Courage

The ability to overcome one's fear, do or live things which one finds frightening.

He plucked up the courage to tell her how he felt.

Brave

(Offensive) A Native American warrior.

Courage

The ability to maintain one's will or intent despite either the experience of fear, frailty, or frustration; or the occurrence of adversity, difficulty, defeat or reversal. Moral fortitude.

Brave

(Archaic) A bully.

Courage

(obsolete) To encourage.

Brave

To endure or face courageously

“He remained in his tent on inclement mornings while others in the party braved the rain ... looking for birds” (Bert O. States). “Together they would brave Satan and all his legions” (Emily Brontë).

Courage

The heart; spirit; temper; disposition.

So priketh hem nature in here corages.

My lord, cheer up your spirits; our foes are nigh,and this soft courage makes your followers faint.

Brave

(Obsolete) To make showy or splendid.

Courage

Heart; inclination; desire; will.

I'd such a courage to do him good.

Brave

To make a courageous show or put up a stalwart front.

Courage

That quality of mind which enables one to encounter danger and difficulties with firmness, or without fear, or fainting of heart; valor; boldness; resolution.

The king-becoming graces . . . Devotion, patience, courage, fortitude,I have no relish of them.

Courage that grows from constitution often forsakes a man when he has occasion for it.

Brave

Strong in the face of fear; courageous.

Courage

To inspire with courage; to encourage.

Paul writeth unto Timothy . . . to courage him.

Brave

(obsolete) Having any sort of superiority or excellence.

Courage

A quality of spirit that enables you to face danger of pain without showing fear

Brave

Making a fine show or display.

Brave

Foolish or unwise.

Brave

(dated) A Native American warrior.

Brave

(obsolete) A man daring beyond discretion; a bully.

Brave

(obsolete) A challenge; a defiance; bravado.

Brave

(transitive) To encounter with courage and fortitude, to defy, to provoke.

After braving tricks on the high-dive, he braved a jump off the first diving platform.

Brave

To adorn; to make fine or showy.

Brave

Bold; courageous; daring; intrepid; - opposed to cowardly; as, a brave man; a brave act.

Brave

Having any sort of superiority or excellence; - especially such as in conspicuous.

Iron is a brave commodity where wood aboundeth.

It being a brave day, I walked to Whitehall.

Brave

Making a fine show or display.

Wear my dagger with the braver grace.

For I have gold, and therefore will be brave.In silks I'll rattle it of every color.

Frog and lizard in holiday coatsAnd turtle brave in his golden spots.

Brave

A brave person; one who is daring.

The star-spangled banner, O,long may it waveO'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Brave

Specifically, an Indian warrior.

Brave

A man daring beyond discretion; a bully.

Hot braves like thee may fight.

Brave

A challenge; a defiance; bravado.

Demetrius, thou dost overween in all;And so in this, to bear me down with braves.

Brave

To encounter with courage and fortitude; to set at defiance; to defy; to dare.

These I can brave, but those I can not bear.

Brave

To adorn; to make fine or showy.

Thou [a tailor whom Grunio was browbeating] hast braved meny men; brave not me; I'll neither be faced or braved.

Brave

A North American Indian warrior

Brave

People who are brave;

The home of the free and the brave

Brave

Face or endure with courage;

She braved the elements

Brave

Possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching;

Familiarity with danger makes a brave man braver but less daring

A frank courageous heart...triumphed over pain

Set a courageous example by leading them safely into and out of enemy-held territory

Brave

Invulnerable to fear or intimidation;

Audacious explorers

Fearless reporters and photographers

Intrepid pioneers

Brave

Brightly colored and showy;

Girls decked out in brave new dresses

Brave banners flying

`braw' is a Scottish word

A dress a bit too gay for her years

Birds with gay plumage

Common Curiosities

Can courage change over time?

Yes, courage can grow or diminish over time based on experiences and personal growth.

Can someone be brave without having courage?

Typically, bravery is an expression of courage, so having courage is fundamental to being brave.

What is the main difference between courage and brave?

Courage is a noun referring to the quality of being able to face difficult situations, whereas brave is an adjective describing someone who displays courage.

How are courage and bravery portrayed in literature?

In literature, courage often underpins character development, while bravery is frequently highlighted in critical, climactic moments.

Are there cultural differences in how courage and bravery are viewed?

Yes, cultural backgrounds can influence how courage and bravery are perceived and valued.

How does society reward bravery?

Societies often honor bravery with awards, public recognition, or ceremonial honors.

What psychological traits support courage?

Traits like resilience, perseverance, and a strong moral compass support the development of courage.

Is courage always visible?

Courage is not always visible; it often involves internal struggles and decisions.

Is courage only emotional, or does it involve physical actions?

Courage can involve both emotional and physical aspects, depending on the context.

How do you identify a brave action?

A brave action is often noticeable and involves taking risks or facing fears directly.

Is it possible to teach someone to be brave?

While inherent traits affect bravery, people can learn to develop it by gradually facing and overcoming fears.

Do animals exhibit bravery?

Animals can exhibit behaviors that might be considered brave, such as defending their young against predators.

Can bravery be a negative trait?

If it leads to reckless actions without consideration of consequences, bravery can be seen as negative.

What are historical examples of bravery?

Historical examples include soldiers in battle or activists in social movements.

How can one cultivate courage in everyday life?

One can cultivate courage by facing small fears regularly, building confidence, and maintaining a positive, proactive mindset.

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Author Spotlight

Written by

Maham Liaqat

Co-written by

Fiza Rafique

Fiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.