bold

—boldly, adv. —boldness, n.

/bohld/, adj., bolder, boldest.

1. not hesitating or fearful in the face of actual or possible danger or rebuff; courageous and daring: a bold hero.

2. not hesitating to break the rules of propriety; forward; impudent: He apologized for being so bold as to speak to the emperor.

3. necessitating courage and daring; challenging: a bold adventure.

4. beyond the usual limits of conventional thought or action; imaginative: Einstein was a bold mathematician. a difficult problem needing a bold answer.

5. striking or conspicuous to the eye; flashy; showy: a bold pattern.

6. steep; abrupt: a bold promontory.

7. Naut. deep enough to be navigable close to the shore: bold waters.

8. Print. typeset in boldface.

9. Obs. trusting; assured.

10. make bold, to presume or venture; dare: I made bold to offer my suggestion.

[bef. 1000; ME bald, bold, OE b(e)ald; c. OS, OHG bald, D boud bold, ON ballr dire < Gmc *bál-tha-z; akin to Welsh balch proud, Ir balc strong < *bal-ko-]

Syn. 1. fearless, adventurous, brave, valiant, intrepid, valorous, dauntless. 2. BOLD, BRAZEN, FORWARD, PRESUMPTUOUS may refer to manners in a derogatory way. BOLD suggests impudence, shamelessness, and immodesty: a bold stare. BRAZEN suggests the same, together with a defiant manner: a brazen liar. FORWARD implies making oneself unduly prominent or bringing oneself to notice with too much assurance. PRESUMPTUOUS implies overconfidence, effrontery, taking too much for granted.

Ant. 2. modest.

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