boldness
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /bˈəʊldnəs/
US
- /ˈboʊldnəs/
Description
- Courage
- Daring
- Confidence
Boldness isn't just about being loud; it's about facing challenges with courage and confidence, even when things are scary or uncertain. Think of a tiny hummingbird boldly defending its nest from a much larger bird – that's boldness in action! It can be a quiet inner strength, like the boldness to speak your truth even if your voice shakes, or an outward display of daring, like a tightrope walker stepping onto the wire. Sometimes, boldness is simply refusing to back down from what you believe in. A knight might show boldness on the battlefield, but a child shows boldness when they try something new despite being afraid of failing.
Boldness is more than just bravery; it's a complex mix of courage, confidence, and willingness to take risks. It's about stepping forward even in the face of fear, uncertainty, or potential criticism. While bravery often focuses on overcoming physical danger, boldness can apply to any situation where you're pushing boundaries – whether those are personal, social, or creative.
Think of a painter who boldly experiments with new techniques, abandoning traditional methods for something entirely their own. Or a scientist who boldly proposes a revolutionary theory that challenges established beliefs. It's not about recklessness; it often requires careful consideration and planning, but ultimately, boldness is the willingness to act despite the possibility of failure.
Historically, "boldness" was linked to strength and nobility – a knight displaying "boldness" in battle meant he was courageous and honorable. Today, we celebrate boldness in many forms: the boldness of an entrepreneur launching a new business, the boldness of an activist fighting for social justice, or even the quiet boldness of someone simply being authentic and true to themselves.
So, while fear might whisper doubts, boldness is the voice that says, "I will try anyway." It's a quality admired across cultures and throughout history – a testament to the power of courage and conviction.
Examples
- 1
Speaking up
Everyone admired her boldness when she spoke up at the meeting.
- 2
Life change
It took real boldness to leave a secure job and start over in a new city.
Pattern
it takes boldness to + action
the action requires a brave, confident attitude
- 3
Visual design
The new logo works because of its boldness, not because it uses bright colors.
- 4
Scam email
I was shocked by the boldness of the scam email, which asked for money in the first line.
Usage
the boldness of + behavior can describe surprisingly confident behavior, often in a negative way
- 5
Plan appeal
Part of the plan’s appeal was its sheer boldness.
Phrase
sheer boldness
very striking or surprising boldness
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- boldnessnoun