bold Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a typeface with thick heavy lines
    bold face; boldface.
  2. adjective fearless and daring
    • bold settlers on some foreign shore
    • a bold speech
    • a bold adventure
  3. adjective satellite clear and distinct
    • bold handwriting
    • a figure carved in bold relief
    • a bold design
  4. adjective satellite very steep; having a prominent and almost vertical front
    sheer; bluff.
    • a bluff headland
    • where the bold chalk cliffs of England rise
    • a sheer descent of rock

WordNet

Bold adjective
Etymology
OE. bald, bold, AS. bald, beald; akin to Icel. ballr, OHG. bald, MHG. balt, D. boud, Goth. balei boldness, It. baldo. In Ger. there remains only bald, adv. soon. Cf. Bawd, n.
Definitions
  1. Forward to meet danger; venturesome; daring; not timorous or shrinking from risk; brave; courageous.
    Throngs of knights and barons bold. Milton.
  2. Exhibiting or requiring spirit and contempt of danger; planned with courage; daring; vigorous. "The bold design leased highly." Milton.
  3. In a bad sense, too forward; taking undue liberties; over assuming or confident; lacking proper modesty or restraint; rude; impudent.
    Thou art too wild, too rude and bold of voice. Shak.
  4. Somewhat overstepping usual bounds, or conventional rules, as in art, literature, etc.; taking liberties in o composition or expression; as, the figures of an author are bold. "Bold tales." Waller.
    The cathedral church is a very bold work. Addison.
  5. Standing prominently out to view; markedly conspicuous; striking the eye; in high relief.
    Shadows in painting . . . make the figure bolder. Dryden.
  6. Steep; abrupt; prominent.
    Where the bold cape its warning forehead rears. Trumbull.
Bold transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To make bold or daring. Obs. Shak.
Bold intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To be or become bold. Obs.

Webster 1913