bravura

1 of 2

noun

bra·​vu·​ra brə-ˈvyu̇r-ə How to pronounce bravura (audio)
brä-, 
-ˈvu̇r-
Synonyms of bravura
1
music : a musical passage requiring exceptional agility and technical skill in execution
2
: a florid brilliant style
3
: a show of daring or brilliance

bravura

2 of 2

adjective

1
: marked by a dazzling display of skill
a bravura performance
2
: ornate, showy
bravura prose

Synonyms of bravura

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Adjective

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Examples of bravura in a Sentence

Adjective a truly bravura performance of the ballet that brought the crowd to its feet
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
What happened next haunts the dreams, dents the bravura of every New Yorker. — David Remnick, New Yorker, 11 June 2026 The filmmaker loved one bravura sequence that is 20 minutes long without any dialogue at all. — Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 22 May 2026
Adjective
A lot of their work had nothing to do with smoothing out wires or big leaps across buildings in bravura fight sequences. — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 3 June 2026 Ford put in a bravura performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bravura

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Italian, literally, bravery, from bravare to show off — more at bravado

Adjective

adjective derivative of bravura entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1757, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1920, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bravura was in 1757

Rhymes for bravura

See All Rhymes for bravura

Browse Nearby Words

bravoite
bravura
braw
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bravura.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bravura. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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