dare

1 verb

1 DO STH DANGEROUS (intransitive not in progressive) to be brave enough to do something dangerous or that you are afraid to do: The others used to steal things from stores, but I would never dare. | dare (to) do sth: Would you dare to do a parachute jump?

2 DO STH RUDE/SHOCKING ETC (I) to be confident enough, rude enough, or dishonest enough to do something that is very rude, shocking, or wrong: Tell her what I really think? I wouldn't dare!

3 how dare you spoken used to show that you are very angry and shocked about what someone has done or said: How dare you accuse me of lying!

4 don't you dare! spoken used to warn someone not to do something because it makes you angry: Don't you dare talk to me like that!

5 PERSUADE SB TO DO STH (T) to try to persuade someone to do something dangerous or embarrassing as a way of proving that they are brave: dare sb to do sth: They dared Lenny to climb to the very top branch. | I dare you! spoken: Go on! Ask her for her telephone number. I dare you!

6 dare I say/suggest formal spoken used when adding information that you think people may not accept or believe: I found him intelligent, observant, and, dare I say it, a sparkling wit!

7 I dare say spoken especially BrE used when saying or agreeing that something may perhaps be true: I dare say things will improve.

2 noun (C) something dangerous that you have dared someone to do: a dare to run through the field with the bull in it | for a dare (=because someone has dared you to): I only did it for a dare.