cowardice

/ˈkaʊədɪs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkaʊərdɪs/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkau̇(-ə)r-dəs dialectal -(ˌ)dīs/ (ame, mw)

cowardice — noun

1. a way of acting that shows you are too afraid to face danger, pain, or trouble —

1.名詞C1
釋義

a way of acting that shows you are too afraid to face danger, pain, or trouble — for example, running away from a fight, staying silent when you should speak up, or letting someone else take the blame.

例句

Ilan was ashamed of his cowardice after running away from the burning building.

noun used after a possessive: someone's cowardice

The general accused the young soldier of cowardice for hiding in the trench during the attack.

collocation: accuse [someone] of cowardice

同義詞
  • timidity

    milder; suggests general nervousness rather than moral failure

  • faint-heartedness

    literary; emphasises weak resolve over outright fear

  • spinelessness

    informal and harsher; stresses moral weakness in standing up to others

反義詞
  • courage

    the standard antonym; willingness to face fear or danger

  • bravery

    focuses on visible brave action rather than inner resolve

  • valour

    formal and literary; especially in battle or great danger

文法句型

accuse [someone] of cowardice

act of cowardice

用法筆記

Uncountable; never pluralised (no '*cowardices'). Frequently appears in moral or judgemental contexts — to call an action 'cowardice' is to condemn it. Often paired with possessive forms (his/her cowardice) or with 'act of'.

常見錯誤

❌He showed many cowardices during the war.
✅He showed many acts of cowardice during the war.
💡cowardice is uncountable; use 'acts of cowardice' for separate occasions.
❌She was a cowardice for hiding.
✅She was a coward for hiding.' / 'Her hiding was cowardice.
💡'cowardice' names the quality or behaviour, not the person; the person is a 'coward'.