bold — English Dictionary

Adjective

1. Courageous, daring.

   Antonyms

   risk-averseconservativereluctant

   Examples

   Bold deeds win admiration and, sometimes, medals.

   More examples (1)

   Not unnaturally, “Auntie” took this communication in bad part. Thus outraged, she showed herself to be a bold as well as a furious virago. Next day she found her way to their lodgings and tried to recover her ward by the hair of the head.

   It would be extraordinarily bold of me to give it a try after seeing what has happened to you.

2. Visually striking; conspicuous.

   Examples

   the painter's bold use of colour and outline

3. Having thicker strokes than the ordinary form of the typeface.

   Usage

   • of typefaces

   Examples

   Many bold fonts are available on this computer.

   In HTML, wrapping text in and tags produces bold text.

4. Presumptuous, forward or impudent.

   Examples

   […] even the boldeſt and moſt affirmative Philoſophy, which has ever attempted to impoſe its crude Dictates and Principles on Mankind.

5. Naughty; insolent; badly-behaved.

   Usage

   • Ireland

   Examples

   All of her children are terribly bold and never do as they are told.

6. Full-bodied.

   Usage

   • of alcoholic beverages

7. Pornographic; depicting nudity.

   Usage

   • Philippines

   Examples

   The government warned bus operators against continuing to show bold content on buses.

8. Steep or abrupt.

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   The grounds descend with a bold slope to the water's edge, and rise finely upwards above the mansion, abounding with fine trees, and ornamented by a range of building at a distance, in a corresponding style […]

Verb

1. To make (a font or some text) bold.

   Usage

   • Informal
   • Transitive

   Synonyms

   boldfaceembolden

   Examples

   Please bold all these subheads.

2. To make bold or daring.

   Usage

   • Obsolete
   • Transitive

   Examples

   […] for this buſines, It touches vs, as France inuades our land Not bolds the King, with others whome I feare, Moſt iuſt and heauy cauſes make oppoſe.

3. To become bold or brave.

   Usage

   • Intransitive
   • Obsolete

Noun

1. A dwelling; habitation; building.

   Usage

   • Obsolete

   Related words

   bottlebuild

Adjective

1. fearless and daring

   Antonyms

   timid

   Examples

   bold settlers on some foreign shore

   a bold speech

   More examples (1)

   a bold adventure

2. clear and distinct

   Examples

   bold handwriting

   a figure carved in bold relief

   More examples (1)

   a bold design

3. very steep; having a prominent and almost vertical front

   Synonyms

   bluffsheer

   Examples

   a bluff headland

   where the bold chalk cliffs of England rise

   More examples (1)

   a sheer descent of rock

Noun

1. a typeface with thick heavy lines

   Synonyms

   boldfacebold face

   Broader terms

   fontfounttypefacefacecase