Poltroon
noun
A person who is very afraid, lacking courage.
Despite his big talk, he turned out to be a poltroon when faced with danger.
Often appears as...
- prove to be a poltroon
- act like a poltroon
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Literary
noun
A person who is very afraid, lacking courage.
Despite his big talk, he turned out to be a poltroon when faced with danger.
Often appears as...
- prove to be a poltroon
- act like a poltroon
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Literary
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Archaic Usage
Poltroon is old-fashioned; modern speakers rarely use it, preferring simpler words like 'coward'.
In the ancient tale, the knight called his challenger a poltroon.
Pro Tip 2/3Literary Flair
Poltroon may appear in literature to add a historical or dramatic tone.
The villain, a true poltroon at heart, fled at the first sign of trouble.
Pro Tip 3/3Avoid Misuse
Don't confuse poltroon with bravery-related virtues; it solely describes the lack of courage.
His actions were not valiant but those of a poltroon.
Pro Tip 1/3Archaic Usage
Poltroon is old-fashioned; modern speakers rarely use it, preferring simpler words like 'coward'.
In the ancient tale, the knight called his challenger a poltroon.
Pro Tip 2/3Literary Flair
Poltroon may appear in literature to add a historical or dramatic tone.
The villain, a true poltroon at heart, fled at the first sign of trouble.
Pro Tip 3/3Avoid Misuse
Don't confuse poltroon with bravery-related virtues; it solely describes the lack of courage.
His actions were not valiant but those of a poltroon.
Pro Tip 1/3Archaic Usage
Poltroon is old-fashioned; modern speakers rarely use it, preferring simpler words like 'coward'.
In the ancient tale, the knight called his challenger a poltroon.
Pro Tip 2/3Literary Flair
Poltroon may appear in literature to add a historical or dramatic tone.
The villain, a true poltroon at heart, fled at the first sign of trouble.
Pro Tip 3/3Avoid Misuse
Don't confuse poltroon with bravery-related virtues; it solely describes the lack of courage.
His actions were not valiant but those of a poltroon.
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