A daredevil is someone who does dangerous or risky things for the thrill of it, often to entertain themselves or others. A daredevil might jump their bicycle over homemade ramps, climb to precarious heights, or attempt stunts that make everyone watching catch their breath.

Famous daredevils have walked tightropes across Niagara Falls, jumped motorcycles over rows of buses, and performed death-defying circus acts. In your neighborhood, you might know a daredevil who's always trying the most difficult tricks at the skate park or climbing higher in trees than anyone else dares.

The word carries a sense of boldness mixed with a touch of foolishness. There's a difference between brave and daredevil: a firefighter running into a burning building is brave because they're risking danger for an important reason. A daredevil takes risks mainly for excitement or to show off. Some people admire daredevils for their fearlessness and skill, while others think they're being needlessly reckless. Either way, daredevils rarely do things halfway.

As an adjective, daredevil describes actions that are wildly risky or showy, like a daredevil leap or a daredevil plan.