dare

1 of 3

verb

dared; daring; dares or (auxiliary) dare

auxiliary verb

: to be sufficiently courageous to
no one dared say a word
she dare not let herself loveG. B. Shaw

intransitive verb

: to have sufficient courage
try it if you dare

transitive verb

1
a
: to challenge to perform an action especially as a proof of courage
dared him to jump
b
: to confront boldly : defy
dared the anger of his family
2
: to have the courage to contend against, venture, or try
the actress dared a new interpretation of the classic role
darer noun

dare

2 of 3

noun

1
: an act or instance of daring (see dare entry 1 sense 1) : challenge
crossed the river on a dare
refused to take the dare
2
: imaginative or vivacious boldness : daring

DARE

3 of 3

abbreviation

Dictionary of American Regional English

Examples of dare in a Sentence

Verb Try it if you dare. We wanted to laugh but didn't dare. The actress dared a new interpretation of the classic role. She dared him to dive off the bridge. She dared me to ask him out on a date. I did, and he said yes.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
For Shaw, Ibsen is daring to point out a glaring weakness of democracy — an attachment to the status quo that can manifest as a resistance to progress. Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2024 And the big set-piece of the second half — a daring prison escape — is barely depicted at all. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Mar. 2024 In fact, dare to talk more about periods in general—and be sure to use gender-neutral language to include all the trans, intersex, and non-binary people who menstruate, too. Caroline Colvin, Health, 9 Mar. 2024 His falls to the floor in daring collapses came out of nowhere. Gia Kourlas, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2024 As the story of Goku unfolded, so did Toriyama’s impact on manga — forever changing the medium with his daring art and storytelling. Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 8 Mar. 2024 Hidden within the looming southern California palm trees sits a daring mid-century modern house that has been rebuilt from the stubs up and into something that could be considered art. Tj MacIas, Sacramento Bee, 5 Mar. 2024 Rife with self-mockery, his work dares to register the brilliant, kaleidoscopic puzzle of selfhood. Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 1 Mar. 2024 But oftentimes, people don’t have the ability to dare, or dream, given life’s circumstances. Steven Lee, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
Noun
So many legends have heard it as a dare, an invitation, a map to their do-it-yourself future. Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 13 Mar. 2024 While it was never spun off as a single, the cut remains an amazing demonstration of the singer-songwriter’s abilities–and apparently his willingness to accept a dare. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Putting Rand in the title of one’s satirical novel feels like a dare, or at least — in a hyper-polarized time — a provocation. Ryan Chapman, Los Angeles Times, 14 Nov. 2023 Glenn’s break as a country singer was the result of a dare. Erin Osmon, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2024 That the recipe reads like the product of a dare is immaterial. Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 20 Jan. 2024 The quotes in the Post article from Nothing and Sunbird come across as a dare more than anything else. Ron Amadeo, Ars Technica, 14 Nov. 2023 Each vamp holds one of the hats to have been stuffed with either names or dares. Matt Thompson, SPIN, 8 Nov. 2023 But the kick of its first six songs is that Swift invites the dare. Wesley Morris, New York Times, 13 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dare.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English dar (1st & 3rd singular present indicative), from Old English dear; akin to Old High German gitar (1st & 3rd singular present indicative) dare, Greek tharsos courage

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense

Noun

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dare was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near dare

DARE

dare

Dare

Cite this Entry

“Dare.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dare. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

dare

1 of 2 verb
ˈda(ə)r How to pronounce dare (audio)
ˈde(ə)r
dared; daring
1
a
: to have enough courage : be bold enough to
try it if you dare
b
used as a helping verb
no one dared say a word
2
: to challenge to perform an action especially as a proof of courage
I dare you
3
: to face boldly
dared the dangerous crossing

dare

2 of 2 noun
: an act or instance of daring : challenge
dived from the bridge on a dare

Biographical Definition

Dare

biographical name

Virginia 1587–? 1st child born in America of English parents

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