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Definition of "dare" []

  • To have the courage required for: The gymnast dared a breathtakingly difficult move. (verb-transitive)
  • To challenge (someone) to do something requiring boldness: They dared me to dive off the high board. (verb-transitive)
  • To confront or oppose boldly. See Synonyms at defy. (verb-transitive)
  • To be courageous or bold enough to do or try something: Go ahead and dive if you dare. (verb-intransitive)
  • To be courageous or bold enough to: I dare not say. How dare she go? (auxiliary-verb)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "dare" in a sentence
  • "And warmly and kindling dare -- yes, _dare_ to hope,"
  • "I dare you to go and ask him about it; I _dare_ you to; and see what he says."
  • ""Do you dare -- do you _dare_ look your own daughter in the eye and say she is no lady?""