First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1dare
verb \ˈder\
: to have enough courage or confidence to do something : to not be too afraid to do something
: to do (something that is difficult or that people are usually afraid to do)
: to tell (someone) to do something especially as a way of showing courage
dareddar·ingdares or (auxiliary) dare
Full Definition of DARE
verbal auxiliary
: to be sufficiently courageous to <no one dared say a word> <she dare not let herself love — G. 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 this classic role>
— dar·er \ˈder-ər\ noun
See dare defined for English-language learners
See dare defined for kids
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Origin of DARE
Middle English dar (1st & 3d singular present indicative), from Old English dear; akin to Old High German gitar (1st & 3d singular present indicative) dare, Greek tharsos courage
Rhymes with DARE
air, Ayr, bare, bear, Blair, blare, care, chair, chare, Dare, e'er, ere, err, eyre, fair, fare, flair, flare, glair, glare, hair, hare, Herr, heir, lair, mare, ne'er, pair, pare, pear, prayer, rare, rear, scare, share, snare, spare, square, stair, stare, swear, tare, tear, their, there, vair, ware, wear, weir, where, yare
2dare
noun
: the act of telling someone to do something as a way of showing courage
Full Definition of DARE
1
: an act or instance of daring : challenge <foolishly took a dare>
2
: imaginative or vivacious boldness : daring
See dare defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of DARE
1594
DARE
abbreviation
Definition of DARE
Dictionary of American Regional English
Other Literature Terms
Dare
biographical name \ˈder\
Definition of DARE
Virginia 1587–? 1st child born in America of Eng. parents
Rhymes with DARE
air, Ayr, bare, bear, Blair, blare, care, chair, chare, dare, e'er, ere, err, eyre, fair, fare, flair, flare, glair, glare, hair, hare, Herr, heir, lair, mare, ne'er, pair, pare, pear, prayer, rare, rear, scare, share, snare, spare, square, stair, stare, swear, tare, tear, their, there, vair, ware, wear, weir, where, yare
DARE Defined for Kids
1dare
verb \ˈder\
dareddar·ing
Definition of DARE for Kids
1
: to have courage enough for some purpose : be bold enough <Try it if you dare.> —sometimes used as a helping verb <The knight looked so solemn about it that Alice did not dare to laugh. — Lewis Carroll, Through the Looking Glass>
2
: to challenge to do something especially as a proof of courage <I dare you to jump.>
3
: to face with courage <They dared the dangerous crossing.>
2dare
noun
Definition of DARE for Kids
: a challenge to do something as proof of courage <I ate the hot pepper on a dare.>
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