1. to act in a cowardly manner; to show fear or lack of courage
表現出懦弱的行為；因恐懼或缺乏勇氣而退縮
He coward at the last moment and refused to confront the bully.
他在最後一刻懦弱了，拒絕面對那個霸凌者。
Don't coward now, we need you to speak up.
現在別退縮，我們需要你發聲。
Coward Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
coward
verb
快速理解
What does "Coward" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Coward"?
「coward」作為動詞較為罕見，意指因恐懼而退縮或表現得像個懦夫。
- 1
因恐懼而退縮
EN: to act like a coward out of fear
翻譯: 因恐懼而表現得像個懦夫
- 2
使某人膽怯
EN: to make someone behave in a cowardly way
翻譯: 使某人變得膽怯或懦弱
小提醒：注意：動詞「coward」非常罕用，在大多數情況下，名詞形式「a coward」（懦夫）和形容詞「cowardly」（膽小的）才是標準用法。
發音（How to Pronounce "Coward" in English）
How to pronounce "Coward" in English?"Coward" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Coward" from YouTube Videos
Newton Aduaka: The story of Ezra, a child soldier
TED
“In front of Rufus. you are Ezra the coward. He’s not taking care of his troops.”
(1 out of 1)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Coward"?How does "Coward" change by context?
2. to cause someone to act like a coward; to intimidate
使某人表現得像懦夫；威嚇
The harsh criticism coward him into silence.
嚴厲的批評使他懦弱地保持沉默。
Their threats were meant to coward the opposition.
他們的威脅意在嚇退反對者。
3. to retreat or avoid a challenge out of fear
因恐懼而退卻或逃避挑戰
She accused him of cowering from his responsibilities.
她指責他懦弱地逃避自己的責任。
The team coward from the difficult negotiation.
團隊在艱難的談判前退縮了。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Coward"?How to make natural sentences with "Coward"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| coward out (of something) | 因膽怯而退出（某事） | He coward out of the challenge at the last minute. (他在最後一刻因膽怯退出了挑戰。) |
| coward away from something | 因膽怯而逃避某事 | Don't coward away from your responsibilities. (不要因膽怯而逃避你的責任。) |
| coward behind someone/something | 膽怯地躲在某人/某物後面 | The bully coward behind his friends when confronted. (那個霸凌者被對質時，膽怯地躲在他的朋友後面。) |
用法說明
How is "Coward" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Coward"?
coward doing vs coward to do
- coward doing 通常描述一種習慣性或一般性的膽怯、退縮行為，強調的是「怯於做某事」這個事實或狀態。
- coward to do 則常指在一個特定情境或一次性的機會中表現出懦弱、不敢行動，有時帶有評價或批評的語氣。
- 在過去式或完成式中，兩者區別可能變得模糊，但 cowarded out of doing 是更常見的表示「因膽怯而放棄做某事」的片語。 EN: He always cowards facing his problems directly. 翻譯: 他總是怯於直接面對自己的問題。
EN:It was coward of him to abandon his friends in danger.
翻譯:在危險中拋棄朋友，他這樣做很懦弱。
總結建議
一般描述習慣性怯懦用 "coward doing"，批評特定懦弱行為則常用 "(it is) coward to do" 或 "cowarded out of doing" 的結構。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Coward" and similar words?How to choose "Coward" vs alternatives?
coward vs fear
「coward」是名詞，指膽小的人；「fear」是動詞或名詞，指感到害怕或恐懼本身。
coward vs timid
「coward」是強烈的貶義詞，指懦夫；「timid」是形容詞，指害羞或膽怯，語氣較輕。
coward vs craven
「coward」是常用詞；「craven」是文學或正式用語，指極度懦弱、卑劣的膽怯。
口語用法
How is "Coward" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Coward"?
引述
在對話中，人們有時會直接引用或重複他人對「coward」一詞的使用，以表達不認同或諷刺。 EN: "He actually called me a coward to my face." 翻譯: 他竟然當面說我是個懦夫。
EN:"Don't be a coward," she said, but I think she was just scared too."
翻譯:「別當個懦夫，」她這麼說，但我覺得她自己也害怕。
語氣強調
在日常口語中，常透過重音、語調或重複來加強「coward」一詞的指控或輕蔑意味。 EN: "You are such a coward for not telling her the truth." 翻譯: 你不敢告訴她真相，真是個徹頭徹尾的懦夫。
EN:"Coward! That's what you are."
翻譯:懦夫！你就是個懦夫。
停頓填充
在猶豫或組織思緒時，說話者可能將「coward」作為一個填充詞或自我貶低的短語插入句中。 EN: "I should have spoken up, but, coward that I am, I stayed quiet." 翻譯: 我當時應該說出來的，但是，我這個懦夫啊，就保持了沉默。
EN:"It was a... coward's way out, I admit."
翻譯:那是種…懦夫的脫身方式，我承認。
正式寫作注意：在學術、商業或正式書面文件中，應避免使用「coward」這類帶有強烈個人評價的詞彙。建議改用更中性的表述，如「lacking in courage」、「risk-averse」或「hesitant to confront」，以保持客觀與專業的語氣。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Coward"?What fixed phrases with "Coward" should I remember?
coward out
verb + out
因膽怯而退縮或退出
coward away
verb + away
因恐懼而躲開或逃避
to coward from something
verb + from + noun
因膽怯而不敢做某事
coward behind someone
verb + behind + noun/pronoun
膽怯地躲在某人後面
coward at the sight of
verb + at the sight of + noun
一看到...就膽怯退縮
coward in the face of danger
verb + in the face of + noun
在危險面前表現膽怯
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Coward"?Which "Coward" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×He coward to face the challenge.
✓He acted like a coward and refused to face the challenge.
"Coward" is primarily a noun, not a verb. You cannot use it directly as a verb. To express the action, use phrases like "act like a coward," "behave cowardly," or "show cowardice."
×That was a coward decision.
✓That was a cowardly decision.
The adjective form is "cowardly," not "coward." "Coward" is a noun. Use "cowardly" to describe actions, behaviors, or people.
×They are all cowards people.
✓They are all cowards. / They are all cowardly people.
"Cowards" is already the plural noun. You do not need to add another noun like "people" after it. Alternatively, you can use the adjective "cowardly" to modify "people."
×He coward out of the bet yesterday.
✓He backed out of the bet like a coward yesterday. / He cowardly backed out of the bet yesterday.
Learners sometimes try to conjugate "coward" as a verb (coward, cowarded, cowarding), which is incorrect. Use the noun in a phrase or the adverb "cowardly" with a real verb like "back out," "retreat," or "flee."
×His coward was obvious from his actions.
✓His cowardice was obvious from his actions.
"Coward" refers to the person. The abstract noun for the quality or behavior is "cowardice." Use "cowardice" when talking about the trait, not the person.
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Coward"?What are tense/participle forms of "Coward"?
cowards(3rd_singular)cowarding(present_participle)cowarded(past)cowarded(past_participle)