Bold Meaning and Definition
Bold
Pronunciation
/boʊld/
Part of Speech
Adjective
Definition
Courageous, confident, and demonstrating fearless behavior, often in a striking or conspicuous way.
Examples
- The bold explorer ventured into the uncharted territory.
- She made a bold move by quitting her job to pursue her passion.
Synonyms
- Brave
- Confident
- Fearless
Antonyms
- Timid
- Timid
- Cautious
Etymology
From Old English þe bold, meaning “brave, bold”, derived from Proto-Germanic *bauliz, related to Proto-Indo-European *bher-, meaning “to shine”.
Usage Notes
Use Bold to describe a person, situation, or action that shows fearlessness, confidence, or daring.
Cultural References
In popular culture, Bold has been referenced in phrases such as “Bold and the Beautiful”, a long-running American soap opera, and “Boldly Go”, a famous phrase in the Star Trek franchise.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- A bold move
- To be bold as brass
- A bold-faced lie
Related Words or Phrases
- Boldly
- Brave
- Daredevil
Collocations
- Bold and the beautiful
- Boldly going
- Bold as brass
Frequency of Use
Bold is a moderately used adjective in modern language, often found in literary and cultural contexts.
Common Misspellings
- Boldly -> Boldly (correctly written)
- Bolder -> Bolder (plural form)