coeur de lion: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1 - C2Formal, literary, historical; sometimes used in journalism for rhetorical effect.
Quick answer
What does “coeur de lion” mean?
A person of great courage, bravery, and noble, lion-hearted spirit.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person of great courage, bravery, and noble, lion-hearted spirit.
A historical or literary epithet, most famously for Richard I of England, denoting a fearless warrior or leader. Can be used figuratively for any exceptionally brave individual.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More likely to be recognized in British English due to its association with English history (Richard the Lionheart). In American English, it is primarily a literary or learned term.
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries connotations of medieval chivalry, historical romance, and epic heroism. It may sound slightly archaic or deliberately elevated.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both, but marginally higher in UK contexts discussing history or in figurative political commentary (e.g., 'the prime minister played the coeur de lion').
Grammar
How to Use “coeur de lion” in a Sentence
[Proper Noun] + coeur de lion (appositive)a/the + coeur de lionverb + like a coeur de lionVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used. A forced metaphor for a risk-taking CEO: 'The press hailed her as the coeur de lion of the industry.'
Academic
Used in historical, literary, or medieval studies texts when discussing Richard I or the ideal of chivalric heroism.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would be used for deliberate, dramatic effect or humor.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “coeur de lion”
- Misspelling as 'cur de lion' or 'coeur de lyon'.
- Incorrect pronunciation stressing 'de' as /diː/.
- Using it as a direct adjective (e.g., 'He was very coeur de lion') instead of as a noun phrase.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a French phrase borrowed into English, used as a fixed expression or epithet. In modern French, 'cœur de lion' is also used.
Yes, though historically masculine, it can be applied figuratively to anyone demonstrating exceptional bravery. The phrase itself does not change gender.
The most common mistake is mispronunciation, particularly anglicising 'coeur' to /kɔː/ or /koʊər/ instead of the correct /kɜː/ or /kər/.
Yes, 'lionheart' is the direct English translation and is far more common in everyday usage. 'Coeur de lion' is the original French form and carries a more literary or historical tone.
A person of great courage, bravery, and noble, lion-hearted spirit.
Coeur de lion is usually formal, literary, historical; sometimes used in journalism for rhetorical effect. in register.
Coeur de lion: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkɜː də ˈlaɪən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkər də ˈlaɪən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Heart of a lion (more common modern equivalent)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine the COUr of a LION: the French word for heart (coeur) in the chest of the king of beasts.
Conceptual Metaphor
COURAGE IS A LION'S HEART. The lion is the metaphorical source domain for qualities of bravery, ferocity, and nobility.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'coeur de lion' MOST appropriately used?