B2adjectiveemotionspsychology
US/ˈkaʊ.ərd.li/
UK/ˈkaʊ.əd.li/
showing fear and not brave enough to do something difficult or dangerous
In context
It was a cowardly act to run away and leave the others behind.
He felt cowardly for staying silent while his friend was blamed.
The newspaper called the attack cowardly and promised to support the victims.
Words that go with cowardly
adjective + noun
- cowardly actThrowing the stone and hiding was a cowardly act.
- cowardly attackLeaders condemned the cowardly attack on civilians.
- cowardly behaviorLying to avoid trouble is cowardly behavior.
- cowardly decisionResigning instead of facing the problem was a cowardly decision.
adverb + adjective
- utterly cowardlyLeaving without a word was utterly cowardly.
adjective + preposition
- cowardly ofIt was cowardly of him to blame his assistant.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
He is a cowardly.Correct: He is cowardly. / He is a coward.