Meaning & use
boldly
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Meaning
adverb
In a confident and courageous way, without letting fear of risk or criticism stop you.
Grammar: Modifies a verb, often one of action or speech: she boldly asked, he stepped boldly forward.
Patterns
- boldly + verb
- speak boldly
- act boldly
- boldly go
She boldly asked her boss for a raise.
He stepped boldly onto the stage despite his nerves.
The company boldly invested in new technology.
Common combinations
- boldly go
- The explorers boldly went where no one had gone before.
- speak boldly
- She spoke boldly about the need for change.
- act boldly
- Sometimes you have to act boldly to succeed.
- boldly declare
- He boldly declared that he would run for mayor.
Synonyms and how they differ
- bravely
- Focuses on courage in the face of danger or pain; boldly is more about confidence and willingness to take risks or speak out.
- confidently
- Emphasizes self-assurance rather than the courage to face criticism or risk.
- fearlessly
- Suggests a total absence of fear; boldly can still involve some fear that is overcome.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: boldly or baldly?
boldly vs baldly
Means 'in a plain and direct way, without trying to be polite', as in 'to put it baldly'. Boldly is about courage or confidence.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'boldly' correctly?
Choose one answer.
All three positions are possible: before the verb, after the verb, or at the end. Adverbs of manner like 'boldly' are flexible in English, though the end position can sound a little less natural in some contexts.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “boldly”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.