cowardly, pusillanimous, craven, dastardly mean having or showing a lack of courage. cowardly implies a weak or ignoble lack of courage.

COWARDLY definition: 1. (of a person) not at all brave and too eager to avoid danger, difficulty, or pain : 2. (of an…. Learn more.

COWARDLY definition: lacking courage; contemptibly timid. See examples of cowardly used in a sentence.

If you describe someone as cowardly, you disapprove of them because they are easily frightened and avoid doing dangerous and difficult things.

Exhibiting the characteristics of a coward, particularly ignoble fear: a cowardly surrender. cow′ard·li·ness n.

Definition of cowardly adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

Dec 14, 2025 · cowardly (comparative cowardlier or more cowardly, superlative cowardliest or most cowardly) Showing cowardice; lacking in courage; weakly fearful. synonyms quotations