Bold - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

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SKIP TO CONTENT bold /boʊld/ /bəʊld/ IPA guide

Other forms: bolder; boldest; bolds

Someone who's bold is daring and brave. You might show how bold you are by climbing onto the roof of your house, or by speaking up when you see someone being treated unfairly.

When you act in a bold way, you're taking some kind of risk; you could be risking physical danger, embarrassment, or your reputation. Whatever bold actions you take, they are confident and fearless. The adjective bold can also be used to describe a particular typeface that is thick, dark, and confident. Bold type is usually used to emphasize something strongly in writing.

Definitions of bold

adjective fearless and daring “bold settlers on some foreign shore” “a bold speech” “a bold adventure” synonyms: adventuresome, adventurous willing to undertake or seeking out new and daring enterprises fearless, unafraid oblivious of dangers or perils or calmly resolute in facing them forward used of temperament or behavior; lacking restraint or modesty audacious, brave, dauntless, fearless, hardy, intrepid, unfearing invulnerable to fear or intimidation daredevil, temerarious presumptuously daring emboldened made bold or courageous foolhardy, heady, rash, reckless marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences heroic, heroical having or displaying qualities appropriate for heroes nervy showing or requiring courage and contempt of danger overreaching, vaulting revealing excessive self-confidence; reaching for the heights overvaliant having or showing undue valor or boldness brave, courageous possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching see moresee less antonyms: timid showing fear and lack of confidence unadventurous lacking in boldness afraid filled with fear or apprehension unassertive inclined to timidity or lack of self-confidence backward (used of temperament or behavior) marked by a retiring nature bashful self-consciously timid coy modestly or warily rejecting approaches or overtures fearful, timorous, trepid timid by nature or revealing timidity browbeaten, intimidated made scared or fearful as by threats mousey, mousy quiet and timid and ineffectual cowardly, fearful lacking courage; ignobly timid and faint-hearted show more antonyms...
adjective clear and distinct “bold handwriting” “a figure carved in bold relief” “a bold design” synonyms: conspicuous obvious to the eye or mind
noun a typeface with thick heavy lines synonyms: bold face, boldface see moresee less type of: case, face, fount, typeface a specific size and style of type within a type family
adjective very steep; having a prominent and almost vertical front “where the bold chalk cliffs of England rise” synonyms: bluff, sheer steep having a sharp inclination

Pronunciation US /boʊld/ UK /bəʊld/ Cite this entry Style: MLA

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