bolder

Bolder is the comparative form of the adjective bold. It is used to describe something that shows greater boldness, risk-taking, or conspicuous strength than a reference point.

The word bold originates from Old English beald, meaning courageous, with the comparative form formed by adding -er. As an adjective, bolder modifies nouns directly (a bolder stance) or appears predicatively (The plan became bolder).

In design and typography, bolder refers to increased weight or contrast. A bolder typeface or color palette stands out more and draws attention. In digital contexts, the CSS keyword bolder increases font weight relative to the parent element; however, the effect depends on font availability.

Bolder choices can imply confidence or risk. They can also backfire by reducing readability or appearing aggressive if overused.

See also: bold, boldness, courage, font weight.