dare

 
Pronunciation: /dɛː/

verb (3rd singular present usually dare before an expressed or implied infinitive)

  • 1 (as modal usually with infinitive with or without to often with negative) have the courage to do something: a story he dare not write down she leaned forward as far as she dared
  • (how dare you) used to express indignation at something: how dare you talk to me like that!
  • (don't you dare) used to order someone threateningly not to do something: don’t you dare touch me
  • 2 [with object and infinitive] defy or challenge (someone) to do something: she was daring him to disagree [with object]: swap with me, I dare you
  • 3 [with object] literary take the risk of; brave: few dared his wrath

noun

  • a challenge, especially to prove courage: she ran across a main road for a dare

Phrases

I dare say (or daresay)

used to indicate that one believes something is probable: I dare say you’ve heard about her

Derivatives

darer

noun

Origin:

Old English durran, of Germanic origin; related to Gothic gadaursan, from an Indo-European root shared by Greek tharsein and Sanskrit dhṛṣ- 'be bold'

Grammar

A verb that can be used as a normal verb and also as a modal auxiliary verb. For this reason it is sometimes described as a ‘semi-modal’ verb. As a normal verb it is followed by the infinitive form of the verb: He dared to criticize the leader outright. As a modal auxiliary verb it is followed by the verb stem: But I dare say you like apples. She dared not complain. It can also stand alone in expressions such as: Don’t you dare!