1 dare
Pronounced:
/ˈdeɚ/
Function:
verbInflected forms:
dares; dared; dar·ingMeaning:
1 [no obj] : to have enough courage or confidence to do something : to not be too afraid to do something ▪ Try it if you dare. ▪ We wanted to laugh but didn't dare. —often followed by to + verb ▪ We didn't dare to stop. ▪ No one dared to say anything. ▪ It was more than I had dared to hope for. ▪ She won their respect by daring to ask questions. —often followed by an infinitive verb without to ▪ We didn't dare stop. = We dared not stop. ▪ No one dared say anything. ▪ It was more than I had dared hope for. ▪ I need to know, but I don't dare ask. ▪ I wouldn't dare do it alone. = (formal) I dare not do it alone. ▪ Do we dare ask why? = Dare we ask why?
2 [+ obj] : to do (something that is difficult or that people are usually afraid to do) ▪ The actress dared a new interpretation of the classic role.
3 [+ obj] : to tell (someone) to do something especially as a way of showing courage ▪ She dared him to dive off the bridge. ▪ She dared me to ask him out on a date. I did, and he said yes.
2 [+ obj] : to do (something that is difficult or that people are usually afraid to do) ▪ The actress dared a new interpretation of the classic role.
3 [+ obj] : to tell (someone) to do something especially as a way of showing courage ▪ She dared him to dive off the bridge. ▪ She dared me to ask him out on a date. I did, and he said yes.
don't you dare
—used in speech to forcefully tell someone not to do something ▪ Don't you dare do that again, or you'll be sorry! ▪ “I'm going to tell mom that you got an ‘F’ on your test.” “Don't you dare!”
how dare you
—used in speech to show that you are angry about what someone has done or said ▪ How dare you touch me! ▪ How dare he speak to you like that!
I dare say or chiefly Brit I daresay
somewhat formal + old-fashioned —used when you are stating your opinion about something ▪ I dare say he's right. ▪ This is, I dare say, one of the most beautiful places in the world.