Definition of 'craven'
adjective
Someone who is craven is very cowardly.
[written, disapproval]
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
You may also like
Word Frequency
craven in British English
adjective
noun
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Derived forms
cravenly (ˈcravenly) adverb
cravenness (ˈcravenness)
noun
Word origin
C13 cravant, probably from Old French crevant bursting, from crever to burst, die, from Latin crepāre to burst, crack
Word Frequency
craven in American English
adjective
1.
very cowardly; abjectly afraid
noun
2.
a thorough coward
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈcowardly
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Derived forms
cravenly (ˈcravenly)
adverb
cravenness (ˈcravenness)
noun
Word origin
ME cravant < OFr < cravanté, pp. of cravanter, to break < VL *crepantare, to cause to burst < L crepare, to rattle, creak < IE *krep- < base *ker- > raven1Word Frequency
craven in American English
(ˈkreivən)
adjective
1.
cowardly; contemptibly timid; pusillanimous
transitive verb
SYNONYMS 1. dastardly, fearful, timorous.4.
to make cowardly
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Derived forms
cravenly adverb
cravenness
noun
Word origin
[1175–1225; ME cravant, cravaunde defeated ‹ OF craventé, ptp. of cravanter to crush, overwhelm (‹ VL *crepantāre), influenced by ME creaunt defeated ( see recreant)]Examples of 'craven' in a sentence
craven
These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content that does not reflect the opinions or policies of Collins, or its parent company HarperCollins.
We welcome feedback: report an example sentence to the Collins team. Read more…
Trends of
craven
View usage for:
Source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Browse alphabetically
craven
Related terms of
craven
Source
Definition of craven from the Collins English Dictionary
Read about the team of authors behind Collins Dictionaries.
Quick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
canvas
or
canvass?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
canvas
canvass
Inside was a green shoulder bag.
feat
or
feet?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
feat
feet
Their journey was an astonishing of endurance.
conker
or
conquer?
Which version is correct?
team
or
teem?
Which version is correct?
foul
or
fowl?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
fowl
foul
Carve the into eight pieces.
Your score:
Word of the day
ecotecture
Ecotecture is a type of architecture with designs based on ecological principles such as sustainability and environmental impact.
Latest Word Submissions
Collins English Dictionary Apps
Download our English Dictionary apps - available for both iOS and Android.
Read more
Collins Dictionaries for Schools
Our new online dictionaries for schools provide a safe and appropriate environment for children. And best of all it's ad free, so sign up now and start using at home or in the classroom.
Read more
Word lists
We have almost 200 lists of words from topics as varied as types of butterflies, jackets, currencies, vegetables and knots!
Amaze your friends with your new-found knowledge!
Read more
Quick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
BUILDINGS
Drag the correct answer into the box.
temple
garden centre
airport
mosque
BUILDINGS
Drag the correct answer into the box.
hairdresser
cathedral
hospital
museum
Your score:
Environment Day 2024
To mark Environment Day 2024, we consider just a few of the words we use to speak about the world around us and the ecological issues we face today.
Read more
Learning English: the time
Time for a new Learning English blog! Learn more about how to tell the time and how to answer 'when' questions in English.
Read more
Learning English: Months of the year
Learn how to speak about the months of the year, and give information about important dates. Improve your English with Collins.
Read more
Learning English: Days of the week
Learn how to discuss what happens on different days of the week, whether you want to make plans for the day or talk about weekly routines.
Read more
Collins English Dictionary Apps
Download our English Dictionary apps - available for both iOS and Android.
Read more
Collins Dictionaries for Schools
Our new online dictionaries for schools provide a safe and appropriate environment for children. And best of all it's ad free, so sign up now and start using at home or in the classroom.
Read more
Word lists
We have almost 200 lists of words from topics as varied as types of butterflies, jackets, currencies, vegetables and knots!
Amaze your friends with your new-found knowledge!
Read more