Cool MateCourage vs Valour
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Courage
Top 2,000 (common)B2noun
Valour
FormalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: ValourMost common: Courage
| Courage | Valour | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈkʌrɪdʒ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈkɜːrɪdʒ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈvæl.ə//🇺🇸 //ˈvæl.ɚ// |
| Meaning | Being brave and willing to face fear or difficulty. | Bravery and courage in facing danger. |
| Example | It takes courage to stand up for what you believe in. | The soldier was awarded a medal for his valour in battle. |
| Register | Neutral | Formal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | considerable, extraordinary, great, require, take, have, courage under fire, have the courage of your convictions | exemplify valour, commend valour, display valour, recognize valour, act with valour |
| Antonyms | cowardice, fearfulness | cowardice, fearfulness, timidity |
| Common mistakes | 'Courage' is sometimes confused with 'curiosity.', 'Courageous' is often mistakenly used as a noun instead of the correct noun 'courage.' | Confused with 'valor', the American English spelling., Used incorrectly in informal settings where simpler terms like 'bravery' are more appropriate. |
| Usage notes | Used in both formal and informal contexts. Commonly used to describe someone's ability to confront challenges. Avoid using in contexts that require a more specific term, like 'bravery' or 'fearlessness.' | Used in literary or historical contexts; may sound overly dramatic in casual conversation. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Courage vs Valour
What's the difference between Courage and Valour?
Courage: Being brave and willing to face fear or difficulty. Valour: Bravery and courage in facing danger.
Which is more formal: Courage and Valour?
Valour is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Courage and Valour?
Courage is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Courage: It takes courage to stand up for what you believe in. Valour: The soldier was awarded a medal for his valour in battle.
Can I use Courage and Valour interchangeably?
Not always. Courage and Valour are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.