B2 adjective Neutral

boldness

/ˈboʊldnəs/

The quality of being confident and willing to take risks, or the ability to speak and act without fear of consequences or social norms. It often describes an impressive or daring approach to a task, problem, or artistic expression.

Examples

3 of 5
1

I admired her boldness in asking for a promotion after only six months at the company.

I admired her courage and confidence in requesting a higher position early on.

2

The explorer's boldness led to the discovery of uncharted territories in the deep ocean.

The explorer's daring nature resulted in finding previously unknown regions.

3

I can't believe the boldness of that guy, eating my fries right in front of me!

I am shocked by the audacity of that person taking my food without permission.

Word Family

Noun
boldness
Verb
embolden
Adverb
boldly
Adjective
bold
Related
boldface
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Memory Tip

Think of a BOLD font in a document. It stands out, it is thicker than the rest, and it demands your attention immediately—just like a person with boldness.

Quick Quiz

The young entrepreneur's ______ in challenging the industry giants was praised by investors.

Correct!

The correct answer is: boldness

Examples

1

I admired her boldness in asking for a promotion after only six months at the company.

everyday

I admired her courage and confidence in requesting a higher position early on.

2

The explorer's boldness led to the discovery of uncharted territories in the deep ocean.

formal

The explorer's daring nature resulted in finding previously unknown regions.

3

I can't believe the boldness of that guy, eating my fries right in front of me!

informal

I am shocked by the audacity of that person taking my food without permission.

4

The boldness of the hypothesis challenged long-standing theories in the field of physics.

academic

The daring nature of the theory questioned established scientific beliefs.

5

The company's boldness in pivoting to a digital-first strategy saved them from bankruptcy.

business

The firm's risk-taking approach to changing their business model ensured their survival.

Word Family

Noun
boldness
Verb
embolden
Adverb
boldly
Adjective
bold
Related
boldface

Common Collocations

sheer boldness complete and absolute daring
admire someone's boldness to respect someone's courage
the boldness to dream the courage to imagine great things
remarkable boldness extraordinary confidence
lack the boldness to not have enough courage to act

Common Phrases

Fortune favors the bold

Success comes to those who take risks.

As bold as brass

Extremely confident or impudent.

Take a bold step

To make a significant and daring move.

Often Confused With

boldness vs baldness

Baldness refers to the state of having no hair on the head, while boldness refers to being brave.

boldness vs arrogance

Boldness is usually seen as a positive trait of courage, while arrogance is negative, implying one feels superior to others.

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Usage Notes

Boldness is often used in professional and creative contexts to describe 'disruptive' or innovative thinking. It can occasionally have a negative nuance if it implies a lack of respect (synonymous with 'nerve' or 'cheek').

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Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes use the adjective 'bold' when they need the noun 'boldness' in a subject or object position. Be careful not to confuse it with 'bravery', which is specifically about facing danger.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of a BOLD font in a document. It stands out, it is thicker than the rest, and it demands your attention immediately—just like a person with boldness.

📖

Word Origin

From Middle English 'bold,' originating from Old English 'beald,' meaning brave, confident, or strong.

Grammar Patterns

uncountable noun often followed by 'to + infinitive' often used with the preposition 'in'
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Cultural Context

In Western startup culture, boldness is highly valued as a prerequisite for innovation and 'moving fast and breaking things.'

Quick Quiz

The young entrepreneur's ______ in challenging the industry giants was praised by investors.

Correct!

The correct answer is: boldness

Related Words

syntegment

C1

To integrate or fuse distinct segments or components into a single, unified structure or cohesive system. It is often used in technical, architectural, or abstract contexts to describe the seamless blending of parts into a whole.

exsimilment

C1

Exsimilment is an adjective describing something that has diverged so fundamentally from its original source or peer group that it no longer possesses any shared characteristics. It is frequently used in technical and comparative contexts to denote a state of complete and intentional dissimilarity.

foreautofy

C1

Describing a system, process, or device that has been autonomously optimized or configured in advance to handle future scenarios. It implies a state of being pre-emptively automated to function seamlessly without human intervention when specific conditions are met.

insedess

C1

Describing a state of remaining in one location or maintaining an inactive, sedentary posture. It is often used in technical or formal contexts to characterize organisms, habits, or lifestyles that lack movement or migration.

interpunctive

C1

Relating to the marks or signs used in punctuation to separate sentences and their elements. It describes the structural use of points or symbols to clarify the meaning and rhythm of a written text.

comloquward

C1

Describes a person who is excessively talkative in a socially clumsy or uncoordinated manner. It specifically refers to the combination of being verbose while simultaneously lacking the grace to navigate conversational cues effectively.

circumjurent

C1

A person who takes a legal oath within a specific surrounding territory or boundary, often to verify land limits or local facts. In an archaic or specialized legal context, it refers to a witness who confirms the truth of a matter based on their presence in the surrounding area.

comvester

C1

A comvester is an individual who participates in community-based investment, pooling financial resources with others to support local projects or social enterprises. This role combines traditional investment goals with a focus on social impact and collective community benefit.

antitractent

C1

Describing a force or substance that exerts a repelling influence, tending to push away rather than attract. It is primarily used in technical or scientific contexts to describe physical properties or behaviors that resist being drawn together.

triludary

C1

To engage in a complex tripartite evaluation or negotiation process involving three distinct parties, stages, or perspectives. It is used to describe the act of reaching a balanced resolution or synthesis through three-way interaction.

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