cowardly

/'kauədli/

Thân thiện

A cowardly dog hides under the bed during a thunderstorm.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Lacking courage; ignobly timid and faint-hearted: Describes a person, action, or behavior that shows a shameful lack of bravery or a willingness to avoid danger, difficulty, or pain due to fear.

Usage

The adjective "cowardly" is used to characterize a person or their actions. It is a strong, negative term implying a moral judgment. It typically precedes a noun (e.g., a cowardly act) or follows a linking verb (e.g., His behavior was cowardly).

Examples

• Adjective:
  • The cowardly soldier deserted his post when the enemy attacked.
  • It was a cowardly attack on an unarmed civilian.
  • She felt it was cowardly to spread rumors instead of confronting the issue directly.

Advanced Usage

• "cowardly" as an adverb (archaic/formal): In older or very formal English, "cowardly" can function as an adverb meaning "in a cowardly manner." However, the modern adverbial form is "cowardly" is less common, with "in a cowardly way" often preferred.
  • He acted cowardly in the face of danger. (Less common; "He acted in a cowardly way" is more standard.)

Variants and Related Words

• Coward (n): A person who lacks courage.
  • He was branded a coward for his refusal to fight.
• Cowardice (n): The trait of lacking courage.
  • His cowardice in the crisis disappointed everyone.
• Cowardliness (n): Synonym for cowardice.

Synonyms

• Timid: Showing a lack of courage or confidence.
• Faint-hearted: Lacking conviction or boldness.
• Craven: Completely lacking in courage; contemptibly cowardly.
• Gutless: (Informal) Lacking courage or determination.
• Spineless: Lacking strength of character.

Antonyms

• Brave: Ready to face and endure danger or pain.
• Courageous: Not deterred by danger or pain; brave.
• Bold: Showing a willingness to take risks; confident and courageous.
• Valiant: Possessing or showing courage or determination.
• Heroic: Having the characteristics of a hero; exceedingly brave.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• To show a yellow streak: To show cowardice.
  • He showed a yellow streak when he refused to testify.
• To have a yellow belly: (Slang) To be a coward.
• To turn tail: To run away from danger or a confrontation; to flee cowardly.
  • When the argument got heated, he simply turned tail and left.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. lacking courage; ignobly timid and faint-hearted
   • cowardly dogs, ye will not aid me then- P.B.Shelley

Từ đồng nghĩa

• fearful