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# coward

noun (a coward, cowards)

«coward» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A coward is a person who is too afraid to do what is right, brave or necessary, or who runs away from danger or difficulty. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/coward/#m1)
2. (insult) Calling someone a coward is a strong insult meaning they have no courage. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/coward/#m2)

### In the lessons

In stories and legends, the coward runs away while the hero stays; in ethics lessons pupils learn that bullies can be cowards, picking on weaker people. It also teaches that being afraid is normal; acting rightly in spite of fear is bravery. Phrases: «a coward's way out», «cowardly», «don't be a coward».

### Examples

- The bully was a coward who only picked on small children. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/coward/#x1)
- The cowardly lion in the story was really brave in the end. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/coward/#x2)
- He called me a coward because I wouldn't jump off the wall. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/coward/#x3)
- Telling the truth when it is hard is the opposite of being a coward. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/coward/#x4)
- The soldier was not a coward; he stayed to help his friends. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/coward/#x5)
- Running away from the fight was not cowardly; it was sensible. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/coward/#x6)
- Two Tails is a great coward. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/coward/#x7)

### Note

Countable: a coward, cowards. Adjective «cowardly», noun «cowardice». Trap: «cowardly» looks like an adverb but is an adjective (a cowardly act). Not every fear is cowardice: walking away from danger can be wise. Do not confuse with «cower» (to crouch down in fear).

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «coward» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/coward/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«coward» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/coward.html) on Mova free.