bold person

Meanings

1. 1phrasecountable

   Someone who is willing to take risks, speak up, or act without fear of what others think.

   Grammar: Used as a countable noun phrase, so it needs a determiner: 'a bold person,' 'the bold person.'

   Patterns

   • a bold person
   • be a bold person
   • a bold person who does something

   She was a bold person who asked the manager difficult questions in every meeting.

   Being a bold person helped him start his own company when everyone else hesitated.

   A bold person would walk up to the stage and volunteer without being asked.

2. 2phrasecountable

   Someone whose behavior or appearance is confident and not shy, often attracting attention.

   Grammar: Also countable; often used with 'very' or 'quite' before 'bold': 'a very bold person.'

   Patterns

   • a very bold person
   • quite a bold person
   • a bold person in something

   He is a bold person in the way he dresses, always choosing bright colors.

   She is a bold person in social situations and never seems nervous.

   They called her a bold person because she laughed loudly and spoke first.

Common combinations

a bold person

A bold person is not afraid to share an unpopular opinion.

a really bold person

You have to be a really bold person to perform on stage alone.

a bold person who

He is a bold person who challenges old rules.

describe someone as a bold person

I would describe my sister as a bold person.

come across as a bold person

She comes across as a bold person, but she is actually quite shy.

Synonyms and how they differ

brave person

Use 'brave person' when the courage is about facing danger or pain; 'bold person' is more about confidence and willingness to take social risks.

daring person

'Daring person' suggests a love of exciting risks, while 'bold person' can simply mean someone who is not shy.

confident person

'Confident person' focuses on self-belief and does not necessarily suggest taking risks; 'bold person' often includes acting without permission.

audacious person

'Audacious person' is stronger and often disapproving, suggesting shocking or rude behavior; 'bold person' is usually neutral or approving.

Opposites

Word family

bold adjective

Willing to take risks or not afraid to speak; the adjective that describes the person.

boldly adverb

In a confident, willing-to-take-risks way: 'She boldly asked for a raise.'

boldness noun

The quality of being bold: 'His boldness surprised everyone.'

Commonly confused: bold person or bald person? bold person or brave person?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “bold person”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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