What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
brave
Example
The firefighter bravely entered the burning building to save the trapped residents. [bravely: adverb]
Example
She showed her brave spirit by standing up to the bully. [brave: adjective]
valiant
Example
The valiant soldier fought bravely on the battlefield, never backing down. [valiant: adjective]
Example
He made a valiant effort to save the drowning child, risking his own life. [valiant: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Brave is more commonly used than valiant in everyday language. Brave is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while valiant is less common and often used in more formal or literary contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between brave and valiant?
While brave is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, valiant is more formal and is often used in more elevated or poetic language.