Boldness is the opposite of
shyness. To be bold implies a willingness to get things done despite risks.[1]
For example, in the context of
sociability, a bold person may be willing to risk
shame or rejection in social situations, or to bend rules of
etiquette or
politeness. An excessively bold person could aggressively ask for money, or persistently push someone to fulfill a request.
The word "bold" may also be used as a synonym of "
impudent"; for example, a child may be punished for being "bold" by acting disrespectfully toward an adult or by misbehaving.
Boldness may be contrasted with
courage in that the latter implies having
fear but confronting it.
Description
In
behavioral ecology, the shy⟷bold continuum is studied as it exists in humans and certain other species. Shyness and boldness represent "a propensity to take
risks". Bold individuals tend to become dominant, revealing a correlation between boldness and
social dominance.[3]
See also
Look up boldness in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
Assertiveness – Capacity of being self-assured without being aggressive to defend a point of view
Chutzpah – Quality of audacity, of Yiddish origin into English
Aquinas, Thomas (1485). "Question XXVII: Of Daring". Summa Theologica. Vol. II.2.
Aquinas, Thomas (2005). The Cardinal Virtues. Translated by Regan, Richard J. p. 116. Is boldness a sin? Boldness is an emotion. But emotion sometimes is moderated by reason and sometimes lacks the measure of reason, whether by excess or deficiency, and emotion is sinful in this respect.