intrepid
- Fearless and adventurous, especially when facing danger or difficulty.
In a sentence
- The intrepid mountaineer pressed on through the blizzard without hesitation.
- As an intrepid journalist, she reported from conflict zones that others refused to enter.
Usage note. Intrepid carries a slightly heroic, even admiring tone and is often used with a hint of irony or affection, especially in journalism (e.g., 'our intrepid reporter').
Where it comes from
English intrepid · entered English late 17th c.
From Latin intrepidus, combining in- ('not') and trepidus ('alarmed, trembling'). It entered English in the late 17th century and was widely used in the 18th century to celebrate explorers and military figures.