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Lacking courage or bravery; behaving in a way that shows fear or avoidance of danger or difficulty.
The cowardly soldier hid behind the wall during the battle.
The soldier, who lacked bravery, avoided the fight by hiding.
It was cowardly of him to spread rumors about her behind her back.
It was a cowardly act to gossip about her when she wasn't present.
Often used to describe actions that show a lack of moral courage or integrity.
While 'cowardly' is a strong word, use it sparingly to avoid sounding overly harsh.
Use 'cowardly' when describing actions, not just a person's character.
From Middle English 'coward' (from Old French 'covoard'), meaning 'cowardly person,' ultimately from Frankish 'kūward' (guardian of cows). The suffix '-ly' is used to form adjectives.
The word is often used to criticize someone for avoiding responsibility or confrontation. It can be used in both literal and figurative contexts.