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daring
/ˈdɛərɪŋ/
boldly unconventional
She wore a daring red dress to the party.
She wore a bold, unconventional red dress to the party.
neutral
Showing a willingness to take bold risks or break conventions.
The daring stunt pilot performed loops in the sky.
The pilot took bold risks by performing loops in the sky.
His daring decision to invest in the startup paid off.
His bold decision to invest in the startup was successful.
Often implies admiration for the boldness, but can also imply recklessness depending on context.
neutral
Involving or requiring boldness or audacity.
The mission was daring and required precise timing.
The mission was bold and needed exact timing.
Used to describe actions or plans that are bold in nature.
Collocations
daring decisiona bold choice that involves riskdaring movean audacious actiondaring spirita bold and adventurous attitude
Pro Tip
Avoid overusing 'daring'
Use 'daring' for actions or people that are bold and unconventional. For everyday bravery, consider 'brave' or 'courageous'.
Gold Rule
Daring vs. Reckless
'Daring' implies boldness with a positive or admirable quality, while 'reckless' suggests a lack of caution. Context determines which word fits best.
Word Origin
From Middle English 'daring' (present participle of 'dare'), from Old English 'dǣre', related to 'dārst' (dare). The sense of 'boldness' emerged in the 16th century.
Usage Notes
Describes actions or people that are bold and unconventional, often with a positive connotation. Avoid using for reckless or irresponsible behavior unless context implies admiration.
Word Breakdown
dare
to have the courage to do something
root-ing
present participle suffix
suffixEnglish Dictionary