CRAVEN

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does craven mean? 

• CRAVEN (noun)
  The noun CRAVEN has 1 sense:

1. an abject coward

  Familiarity information: CRAVEN used as a noun is very rare.

• CRAVEN (adjective)
  The adjective CRAVEN has 1 sense:

1. lacking even the rudiments of courage; abjectly fearful

  Familiarity information: CRAVEN used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CRAVEN (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

An abject coward

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Synonyms:

craven; poltroon; recreant

Hypernyms ("craven" is a kind of...):

coward (a person who shows fear or timidity)

• CRAVEN (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Lacking even the rudiments of courage; abjectly fearful

Synonyms:

craven; recreant

Context example:

this recreant knight

Similar:

cowardly; fearful (lacking courage; ignobly timid and faint-hearted)

Derivation:

cravenness (meanspirited cowardice)

 Context examples 

I might have known it by the sleek face and the slavish manner too monk-ridden and craven in spirit to answer back a rough word.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Craven shrugged his shoulders.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)