courageous

Courageous is an adjective used to describe someone or something that shows courage: the willingness to act in the face of fear, danger, pain, or uncertainty. It can refer to physical bravery, moral courage, or perseverance under hardship.

Etymology and form: The word derives from courage, which comes from Old French corage or corage, from Latin cor, meaning heart, with the -ous suffix forming an adjective. The term has been in use in English since the Middle Ages and is often employed to praise or commend acts of resolve.

Usage and nuance: In everyday language, courageous often signals approval of a person’s behavior or decisions. It can describe actions that involve risk, moral fortitude, or steadfastness over time. While closely related to bravery and valor, courageous emphasizes the attitude of acting despite fear rather than the absence of fear itself.

Contexts and examples: Courageous actions appear in history, journalism, literature, and personal life—such as standing up for one's beliefs, facing danger, or continuing a difficult task for a worthy cause. The word can apply to individuals, groups, or policies that demonstrate steadfastness or principled risk-taking.

See also: Courage, Bravery, Valor, Heroism, Moral courage.

Notes: In psychological and philosophical discussions, courage is often seen as the capacity to align action with values in the presence of fear, suggesting courage is a practiced trait as well as an emotional experience.