craven: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low-frequency (Literary/Rare)Literary, formal, rhetorical; occasionally used in journalism for strong criticism.
Quick answer
What does “craven” mean?
Adjective: contemptibly lacking in courage.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Adjective: contemptibly lacking in courage; completely cowardly.
Can describe a complete abdication of moral or physical courage, often suggesting abject or disgraceful fear that leads to dishonourable action or inaction.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage patterns. It is equally literary/rare in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical strong negative connotations in both dialects.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both. Slightly more likely to be encountered in British historical or literary contexts due to archaic/formal retention.
Grammar
How to Use “craven” in a Sentence
a craven + noun (e.g., a craven surrender)verb + craven (e.g., prove craven, be deemed craven)It was craven of + person + to-infinitive (e.g., It was craven of him to flee).Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “craven” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Archaic, obsolete) Not in modern use.
American English
- (Archaic, obsolete) Not in modern use.
adverb
British English
- (Rare, archaic) Not in standard modern use.
American English
- (Rare, archaic) Not in standard modern use.
adjective
British English
- His craven refusal to defend his principles disgusted his colleagues.
- The editorial condemned the government's craven U-turn on the policy.
American English
- The senator's craven silence in the face of injustice was noted by the press.
- It was a craven attempt to appease the bullies.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Used in severe criticism of leadership, e.g., 'The board's craven acquiescence to the activist investor damaged morale.'
Academic
Found in historical, political, or literary criticism, e.g., 'The king's craven response to the invasion was documented by contemporary chroniclers.'
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would sound formal or archaic.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “craven”
- Using it to describe simple nervousness (too strong).
- Pronouncing it like 'craving'.
- Confusing it with the noun 'craven' (archaic).
- Using it in informal contexts where it sounds unnatural.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency, literary word. It is used for strong, formal criticism rather than everyday conversation.
'Craven' is a stronger, more contemptuous term. While 'cowardly' describes a lack of courage, 'craven' suggests a complete, abject, and often disgraceful collapse of courage that invites scorn.
Historically, yes (meaning 'coward'), but this usage is now archaic. In modern English, it is used almost exclusively as an adjective.
It comes from Middle English *cravant*, possibly from Old French *cravanté*, the past participle of *cravanter* ('to crush, overwhelm'), which is of uncertain ultimate origin.
Adjective: contemptibly lacking in courage.
Craven is usually literary, formal, rhetorical; occasionally used in journalism for strong criticism. in register.
Craven: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkreɪv(ə)n/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkreɪvən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None commonly associated; the word itself is strong enough to stand alone.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a GRAVE where a knight is buried. A 'craven' person is so cowardly they'd be afraid of their own GRAVE. CRAVEN = GRAVE + 'N' for 'No courage'.
Conceptual Metaphor
COURAGE IS UPRIGHTNESS / ABSENCE OF COURAGE IS A PHYSICAL COLLAPSE. A craven person is metaphorically prostrate, grovelling, or completely collapsed in fear.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'craven' be LEAST appropriate?