coward
B2Formal and informal, often pejorative.
Definition
Meaning
A person who lacks the courage to face danger, difficulty, or pain.
Someone who shrinks from confrontation, fails to stand up for principles, or betrays others through fear.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A strongly negative label implying contempt and moral failure, not merely fear. Rarely used as a self-description.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. 'Coward' is equally common and carries the same weight in both varieties.
Connotations
Highly negative in both cultures, associated with dishonour and failure of character.
Frequency
Comparable frequency; may appear slightly more in UK English in historical/military contexts, but not statistically significant.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[be/label/brand] + a cowardcoward + [in the face of/ when it comes to] + NPVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Coward's way out (suicide)”
- “Take the coward's way out”
- “No one likes a coward.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; used metaphorically for leaders unwilling to make difficult decisions ('a corporate coward').
Academic
Used in psychology (e.g., 'avoidant behaviour'), history, and literature to describe character.
Everyday
Common in arguments, criticism, and discussions of moral character ('Don't be such a coward!').
Technical
Not a technical term, but appears in military ethics and philosophical discussions of courage.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Rare; 'to coward out' is non-standard slang.
American English
- Rare; 'to coward' is obsolete/archaic.
adverb
British English
- He acted cowardly, leaving his friends to face the trouble. (Disputed usage; 'in a cowardly manner' is preferred.)
American English
- She ran away cowardly from the debate. (Disputed; 'like a coward' is standard.)
adjective
British English
- The cowardly lion hid from the mouse.
- It was a cowardly attack on an unarmed man.
American English
- That was a cowardly thing to do.
- He gave a cowardly response to the challenge.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The dog is not a coward; it barks at big dogs.
- He felt like a coward for not telling the truth.
- She called him a coward for refusing to jump off the diving board.
- Running away was the act of a coward.
- The politician was branded a coward for avoiding the difficult vote.
- It takes courage to admit mistakes; only a coward blames others.
- His cowardly acquiescence to the board's unethical demands shocked his colleagues.
- The memoir revealed not a hero, but a profound coward paralysed by the fear of exposure.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a COW running ARD (away rapidly) from danger. A COW-ARD.
Conceptual Metaphor
COURAGE IS SUBSTANCE / DENSITY; A COWARD IS HOLLOW / EMPTY. (e.g., 'spineless', 'gutless').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation of 'трус' in all contexts, as 'coward' is often stronger and more insulting. 'Timid' or 'cautious' may be closer for milder criticism.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'coward' as an adjective (*He is very coward). Correct: 'cowardly'.
- Confusing 'coward' (noun) with 'cowered' (verb, past tense).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the best synonym for 'coward' in the sentence: 'History will remember him not as a hero, but as a coward.'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a strong insult, but not typically classified among swear words (expletives). It attacks character, making it highly offensive in context.
No. The correct adjective is 'cowardly'. Using 'coward' as an adjective (e.g., 'a coward man') is a common error.
Fear is a natural emotion. 'Coward' implies a moral judgement on one's actions in response to that fear—specifically, a failure to act rightly due to fear.
In modern English, no. The verb 'cower' exists but means 'to crouch in fear', not 'to act like a coward'. Archaic verb forms like 'to coward' are obsolete.
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