Daring means bold and willing to take risks, especially when facing danger or uncertainty. A daring explorer ventures into uncharted territory. A daring gymnast attempts a difficult move she's never landed in competition before. When someone acts with daring, they push past fear to try something challenging.

The word captures a special kind of courage that involves actively choosing danger in pursuit of something worthwhile. A daring escape means someone took significant risks to break free. A daring rescue involves racing into danger to save someone else.

You can use daring as a noun too: “Her daring impressed everyone” means her boldness and courage stood out. People praised Amelia Earhart's daring as she flew solo across the Atlantic Ocean in 1932, knowing the journey was dangerous but attempting it anyway.

Daring differs from recklessness. A daring person takes calculated risks for good reasons. A reckless person takes foolish risks without thinking. When you read about daring adventurers or daring inventors, you're reading about people who were brave enough to try things others feared, but smart enough to prepare as well as they could.