dare Meaning & Definition
What Does Dare Mean?
As a verb, dare means To have enough courage (to do something). It can also mean To defy or challenge (someone to do something). As a noun, it means A challenge to prove courage. As a noun, it means A small fish, the dace.
Dare in Brief
| Part of speech | verb, noun |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /dɛə/ |
| Synonyms | defy, daring and make bold |
| Plural | dares |
| Verb forms | dares, daring, dared |
Dare Definition (Verb)
- To have enough courage (to do something).
I wouldn't dare (to) argue with my boss.
- To defy or challenge (someone to do something).
I dare you to kiss that girl.
- To have enough courage to meet or do something, go somewhere, etc.; to face up to.
Will you dare death to reach your goal?
- To terrify; to daunt.
- To drive larks to the ground by scaring them (for instance, with mirrors or hawks) so they can be caught in nets.
Dare as a Noun
- A challenge to prove courage.
I did it just for a dare.
- The quality of daring; venturesomeness; boldness.
- Defiance; challenge.
- In the game truth or dare, the choice to perform a dare set by the other players.
When asked truth or dare, she picked dare.
Verb
- To stare stupidly or vacantly; to gaze as though amazed or terrified.
- To lie or crouch down in fear.
Noun
- A small fish, the dace
Verb
- To catch (larks) by producing terror through the use of mirrors, scarlet cloth, a hawk, etc., so that they lie still till a net is thrown over them.
Synonyms of Dare
Dare synonyms and antonyms →Dare in a Sentence
I wouldn't dare (to) argue with my boss.
No one dares (to) criticize his decisions.
They daredn't tell me the truth, even though I dared (to) acknowledge my mistake to them.
I daren't tell him I've had an affair with another man.
I dare you to kiss that girl.
Will you dare death to reach your goal?
I did it just for a dare.
When asked truth or dare, she picked dare.
I wouldn't dare argue with my boss.
I dare you (to) kiss that girl.
Word Forms & Grammar
dare (third-person singular simple present dares or (modal) dare or (obsolete) dast, present participle daring, simple past and past participle dared or (obsolete) durst)
dare (plural dares)
dare (third-person singular simple present dares, present participle daring, simple past and past participle dared)
Words That Rhyme With Dare
Origin of Dare
Origin 1: From Middle English durren, from Old English durran, from Proto-West Germanic *durʀan, from Proto-Germanic *durzaną (“to dare”), from Proto-Indo-European *dʰedʰórse (“to dare”), reduplicated stative of the root *dʰers- (“to be bold, to dare”), an *-s- extension of *dʰer- (“to hold, support”).
Origin 2: From Middle English daren, from Old English darian.
Dare: Your Questions Answered
Is dare a verb or a noun?
Dare is mainly used as a verb, but it can also be used as a noun.
What is another word for dare?
You can replace dare with words such as defy, daring and make bold. See the full list of dare synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of dare?
The plural of dare is dares.
What is the past tense of dare?
The past tense of dare is dared. The present participle is daring.