dare

/deə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · [dˈɛr] /der/ (ame, ipa) · [dˈɛr] /ˈder/ (ame, mw) · /deər/ (bre, ipa)

dare — verb

  • darepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • dareshe / she / it
  • daredpast simple
  • daring-ing form

1. To show enough courage or confidence to take on a difficult, dangerous, or socia

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

To show enough courage or confidence to take on a difficult, dangerous, or socially awkward situation. When someone acts rudely or in a way they should not, 'dare' expresses the boldness or audacity behind their action.

例句

Ada did not dare to open the letter from the hospital.

dare + to-infinitive in negative

The young boy dared to correct the principal during morning assembly.

dared + to-infinitive in affirmative (audacity)

同義詞
  • venture

    More formal and literary; suggests risking something valuable

  • have the nerve

    Informal; often implies rudeness or audacity

  • risk

    Focuses on the danger rather than the courage

反義詞

文法句型

dare + (to) infinitive

dare not / daren't + infinitive

dare + object + (to) infinitive (rare)

用法筆記

In negative and interrogative sentences, 'dare' can behave as a semi-modal verb (e.g., 'I daren't ask' instead of 'I don't dare to ask'), especially in British English. The form without 'to' is more common in negatives and questions. Distinguish from VERB/2 (ISSUE A DARE), where 'dare' takes a person as the object and means to challenge them.

常見錯誤

❌I dare you to jump' (when you mean you have the courage).
✅I dare to jump' or 'I dare jump.
💡'I dare you' means you are challenging someone else, not describing your own courage.
❌He doesn't dare to goes alone.
✅He doesn't dare to go alone.
💡After 'dare', use the base form of the verb, not a conjugated form.

2. To put pressure on a person by asking them to perform a risky or embarrassing ac

2.動詞及物B1
釋義

To put pressure on a person by asking them to perform a risky or embarrassing act, in order to test their bravery or nerve.

例句

Jenna dared her little brother to eat a spoonful of hot sauce.

dare + object + to-infinitive

His friends dared David to knock on the strange door and run away.

同義詞
  • challenge

    Similar meaning but less intense; can be used in friendly or competitive contexts

  • provoke

    More negative; implies making someone angry or annoyed enough to act

  • goad

    Stronger; suggests persistent urging until the person acts

反義詞
  • discourage

    Try to stop someone from doing something

文法句型

dare + person + to-infinitive

用法筆記

The person being dared is always the direct object. This sense is almost never used without a stated object. The thing they are dared to do always appears as a to-infinitive phrase. Distinguish from VERB/1 (HAVE THE COURAGE), where the subject of 'dare' is the person who acts, not the person who challenges.

常見錯誤

❌I dared to jump' (when you meant you challenged someone).
✅I dared him to jump.
💡Without an object, 'dare' means 'have the courage', not 'challenge'.
❌She dared me going alone.
✅She dared me to go alone.
💡After 'dare + person', use the to-infinitive, not the -ing form.

3. To be brave enough to face a dangerous or difficult situation directly — for exa

3.動詞及物B2
釋義

To be brave enough to face a dangerous or difficult situation directly — for example, daring a storm, a dangerous road, or a question nobody else will ask.

例句

The rescue team dared the storm to reach the stranded climbers.

dare + direct object (the danger faced)

A few brave climbers dare the north face of this mountain every summer.

同義詞
  • face

    More general; does not necessarily imply bravery

  • confront

    More direct; suggests meeting something head-on

  • brave

    A verb meaning to face or endure danger; similar register

反義詞
  • avoid

    Stay away from danger or difficulty

  • shirk

    Deliberately avoid a duty or challenge

文法句型

dare + noun phrase (the risk / the attempt / the venture)

用法筆記

This sense is slightly more literary or formal than VERB/1. The direct object names the danger, challenge, or action being faced. Frequently found in news reports and narrative descriptions of brave acts. Distinguish from VERB/1 (HAVE THE COURAGE), where 'dare' + infinitive describes the mental state of being brave, whereas here the emphasis is on actively undertaking a specific challenge.

常見錯誤

❌I dare the exam' (when you just mean you feel brave).
✅I dared the difficult exam despite my poor preparation.
💡This sense is about actively facing something risky, not just feeling brave.

dare — noun