English Lexicon

Coward

/ˈkaʊ.ərd/
nounadjectiveCEFR B2 (Upper)Top #4500 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    A person who lacks the courage to do or endure dangerous or unpleasant things.

    "He felt like a coward for running away from the confrontation."
As adjective
  1. 1

    Lacking courage; cowardly.

    "It was a coward act to betray his friends behind their backs."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

Derived from Old French 'coard', based on 'cue' (tail), referring to an animal that turns tail and runs away. It entered Middle English in the 13th century and evolved to describe a person who lacks courage in the face of danger or difficulty.

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