Intrepid
adjective /ɪnˈtrɛpɪd/ — Fearless and adventurous — the kind of person who goes first.
Definition
Fearless and adventurous, especially in the face of difficulties or uncertainty.
Beyond the definition
Intrepid has a spirit of forward motion to it. It's not recklessness — it's the calm, clear-eyed willingness to go where others hesitate. The word carries an air of quiet excitement.
Origin & history
From Latin intrepidus — not alarmed (in- 'not' + trepidus 'alarmed, agitated'). The intrepid person feels no trembling.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The intrepid explorer documented her journey through conditions that would have sent most people home.
You don't have to be fearless to be intrepid — you just have to move forward anyway.
Her intrepid spirit turned what looked like obstacles into interesting detours.
Synonyms
Antonyms
timid, fearful, apprehensive, cowardly
Related words
Intrepid vs dauntless
Intrepid often describes those who actively seek out adventure and exploration. Dauntless emphasizes the courage to face specific dangers without showing hesitation or fear.
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Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Solo Walker on Ridge
An adult walks alone along a narrow, high mountain ridge, the vast, clear sky above and a deep, forested valley below.
An intrepid person is adventurous and fearless in the face of uncertainty. The individual’s steady, intentional pace on a high, narrow ridge, choosing to move through such a vast and challenging environment alone, captures the fearlessness required to pursue a path that others might find daunting.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration