Looking up...
cowardly
/ˈkaʊ.ərd.li/
lacking courage
He acted cowardly by running away instead of facing the problem.
He showed a lack of courage by avoiding the situation.
informal
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.
Collocations
cowardly actan action that shows a lack of braverycowardly behavioractions that demonstrate fear or avoidance
Pro Tip
Avoid overuse
While 'cowardly' is a strong word, use it sparingly to avoid sounding overly harsh.
Gold Rule
Context matters
Use 'cowardly' when describing actions, not just a person's character.
Word Origin
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.
Usage Notes
The word is often used to criticize someone for avoiding responsibility or confrontation. It can be used in both literal and figurative contexts.
Word Breakdown
coward
a person lacking courage
root-ly
adjective suffix
suffixEnglish Dictionary