a North American Indian warrior
"The brave stood at the village entrance to welcome the returning hunters."
A Native American warrior.
"The brave rode swiftly into battle to defend his tribe."
In plain English: A brave person is someone who faces danger or fear without giving up.
"The brave was shown to her child as a symbol of courage."
Usage: Use "brave" only when referring specifically to a member of a Native American tribe; in modern English, it is far more common as an adjective describing courage rather than a noun for a person. Avoid using it as a standalone noun like "a brave" unless you are quoting historical texts or discussing indigenous cultures directly.
To encounter with courage and fortitude, to defy, to provoke.
"The bold captain sailed straight into the storm to test his crew's resolve."
In plain English: To brave something means to face it even though you are scared.
"She braved the storm to get to her friend's house."
Usage: Use brave as a verb when you intend to confront a fear or danger directly with courage, such as braving a storm or braving criticism. Do not use it as the past tense of "brow," which is incorrect; instead, use braved to indicate that the confrontation has already occurred.
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"
Strong in the face of fear; courageous.
"The brave firefighter ran into the burning building to save the trapped cat despite her intense fear."
In plain English: Brave means being willing to do something scary or difficult even when you are afraid.
"She was brave enough to speak up during the meeting."
Usage: Use brave to describe someone who acts with courage despite feeling afraid or facing danger. It specifically highlights the strength shown while confronting fear rather than the absence of it.
The word brave entered English through the path of borrowing it first into Middle French and then to Italy before reaching us again as a doublet of bravo. Its original meaning remains unchanged from its current usage, though scholars are still unsure about its ultimate roots in Italian.