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Meaning & use

bold

adjective·Everyday

Last updated

UK/bəʊld/
US/boʊld/

Meanings

  1. adjectivecomparable

    Willing to take risks and act with confidence, even when others might hesitate.

    Grammar: Comparable: bolder, boldest. Can describe people or actions.

    Patterns

    • a bold move
    • bold enough to do something

    It was a bold decision to leave a steady job and start a business.

    She was bold enough to question the director.

    The team made a bold attempt to win in the final minute.

  2. adjectivecomparable

    Strong and clearly noticeable, especially in color, shape or design.

    Grammar: Often before a noun: bold colors, a bold pattern.

    Patterns

    • bold colors
    • bold design

    The room was painted in bold red and orange.

    He wore a shirt with a bold stripe.

    The poster used a bold design that caught every eye.

  3. adjectivenot comparabletechnical

    Printed in thicker, darker letters than the normal text, to make the words stand out.

    Grammar: Also used as a noun: put the title in bold.

    Patterns

    • in bold
    • bold type

    Key terms appear in bold in the textbook.

    Select the heading and make it bold.

    The warning was printed in bold type.

Word forms

comparativebolder
superlativeboldest

Common combinations

bold move
Lowering prices was a bold move.
bold statement
That is a bold statement to make.
bold colors
She likes bold colors.
in bold
Dates are written in bold.
to be bold
To be bold, I would ask for more money.

Synonyms and how they differ

daring
Daring suggests exciting risk, often physical or adventurous.
brave
Brave focuses on facing danger or fear, not confidence or style.
audacious
Audacious is stronger and may suggest shocking or rude boldness.
vivid
Vivid describes strong, bright color or imagery, not courage.

Opposites

timidshypale

Word family

boldly adverb
in a confident, daring way
boldness noun
the quality of being daring
embolden verb
to make someone more confident

Commonly confused: bold or bald?

bold vs bald

Bald means without hair; bold means daring or strongly visible. They sound similar in some accents.

Practice

The designer chose a ____ yellow wall to make the small room stand out.

Make it your own

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

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