Definition

1. Interjection:

   • An exclamation of approval or admiration: Used to express enthusiastic praise, typically shouted by an audience at the end of an outstanding performance in theater, opera, or music.

2. Noun:

   • A shout of "bravo": A cry or shout of approval from an audience.
   • A hired killer or assassin: (Archaic) A villain, especially one who murders for hire or commits a daring crime.

3. Verb:

   • To shout "bravo": To applaud or express approval by shouting "bravo."

Examples

• Interjection:

  • As the soprano held the final note, someone in the balcony shouted, "Bravo!"
  • "Bravo! That was an incredible speech," the teacher exclaimed.

• Noun (as a shout):

  • The actor was greeted with loud bravos and a standing ovation.
  • A single, powerful bravo echoed through the hall after the pianist finished.

• Noun (as a person - archaic):

  • The novel's villain was a bravo in the pay of a corrupt nobleman.
  • In the old tale, the bravo was hired to eliminate the king's rival.

• Verb:

  • The audience bravoed for several minutes, refusing to let the conductor leave the stage.
  • We all bravoed the soloist's magnificent effort.

Advanced Usage

• "Brava": The feminine form of the interjection, used to applaud a female performer.
  • When the prima donna took her bow, the critics cried, "Brava!"
• "Bravissimo": An Italian superlative form, meaning "very good" or "excellent," used for extraordinary praise.
  • His virtuoso performance earned him shouts of "Bravissimo!" from the crowd.

Variants and Related Words

• Brava (interj): Used to applaud a female performer.
• Bravissimo (interj): An intensified form of "bravo."
• Bravery (n): The quality of being brave (courageous).

Synonyms

• Interjection/Noun (applause): Well done!, Encore!, Hooray!, Cheers!
• Noun (killer - archaic): Assassin, hitman, mercenary, cutthroat.

Related Phrases

• To cry/scream/shout bravo: To applaud loudly by shouting "bravo."
  • The conductor was so moved that he turned and cried bravo to the orchestra.

Related Idioms

• "Bravo for (someone/something)": An expression of praise or congratulations for an action.
  • Bravo for you for standing up to the bully!
• "A bravo performance": (Less common) An outstanding performance worthy of shouts of "bravo."
  • The young cellist gave a bravo performance that stunned the judges.

Noun

1. a cry of approval as from an audience at the end of great performance
2. a murderer (especially one who kills a prominent political figure) who kills by a surprise attack and often is hired to do the deed
   • his assassins were hunted down like animals
   • assassinators of kings and emperors

Verb

1. applaud with shouts of `bravo' or `brava'