dare

dare¹ W3 [deə US der] v, modal v

1.) [I not in progressive]

to be brave enough to do something that is risky or that you are afraid to do - used especially in questions or negative sentences

▪ He wanted to ask her, but he didn't dare.

▪ 'I'll tell Dad.' 'You wouldn't dare!'

dare (to) do sth

▪ I daren't go home.

▪ Only a few journalists dared to cover the story.

▪ She hardly dared hope that he was alive.

▪ Dare we admit this?

2.) how dare you

spoken said to show that you are very angry and shocked about what someone has done or said

▪ How dare you accuse me of lying!

3.) don't you dare!

spoken said to warn someone not to do something because it makes you angry

▪ Don't you dare talk to me like that!

4.) [T]

to try to persuade someone to do something dangerous or embarrassing as a way of proving that they are brave

dare sb to do sth

▪ One night they dared Frank to steal a bottle of his father's whiskey.

▪ So jump, then. I dare you .

5.) dare I say/suggest

spoken formal used when saying something that you think people may not accept or believe

▪ I thought the play was, dare I say it, boring.

6.) I dare say also I daresay

spoken especially BrE used when saying or agreeing that something may be true

▪ I dare say things will improve.

dare ²

dare² n

something dangerous that you have dared someone to do

for a dare

BrE on a dare

AmE (=because someone has dared you to)

▪ She ran across a busy road for a dare.