# brave

> English word · Adjective · IPA /bɹeɪv/ · frequency rank #4,064

## Definitions
1. Strong in the face of fear; courageous.
2. Having any sort of superiority or excellence.
3. Making a fine show or display.
4. Foolish or unwise.

## Etymology
From Middle French brave, borrowed from Italian bravo, itself of uncertain origin (see there). Doublet of bravo.

## Easily confused with
- **bray** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/brave-vs-bray)
- **bree** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/brave-vs-bree)
- **brie** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/brave-vs-brie)
- **bruv** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/brave-vs-bruv)
- **broke** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/brave-vs-broke)
- **Bruce** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/brave-vs-bruce)
- **bride** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/brave-vs-bride)
- **bravo** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/brave-vs-bravo)
- **brawl** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/brave-vs-brawl)
- **bribe** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/brave-vs-bribe)
- **brute** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/brave-vs-brute)
- **brine** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/brave-vs-brine)
- **Brice** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/brave-vs-brice)
- **brawn** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/brave-vs-brawn)
- **braves** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/brave-vs-braves)
- **brazen** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/brave-vs-brazen)
- **braver** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/brave-vs-braver)
- **braved** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/brave-vs-braved)
- **bravery** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/brave-vs-bravery)
- **bravely** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/brave-vs-bravely)

## Common misspellings (7)
`barve`, `bbrave`, `braev`, `bravve`, `brrave`, `brvae`, `rbave`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/brave