fortitude

Language: en

🇺🇸 /ˈfɔrtɪˌtuːd/

📖 Definitions

  1. noun
    Courage and strength of mind in facing pain, danger, or adversity with composure and resolve.; One of the four cardinal virtues in classical and Christian philosophy, representing moral strength and bravery.

🔗 Details

Word forms

uncountable

Collocations

with fortitudeshow fortitudemoral fortitudegreat fortitudebear with fortitudedisplay fortitude

Derivatives

fortitudinous

Synonyms

couragebraveryresiliencestoicismmettlegritnerve

Antonyms

cowardicetimidityweakness

Commonly confused

fortress
EN: 'Fortress' is a fortified military structure; 'fortitude' is mental strength and courage in adversity. Both derive from Latin 'fortis' (strong).
attitude
EN: 'Attitude' is a settled way of thinking or feeling; 'fortitude' specifically refers to courage and endurance in the face of pain or hardship.

Spelling tips

EN: Remember the ending is '-tude' (not '-tute'). It shares this suffix with 'gratitude', 'altitude', and 'latitude'.

💬 Examples

  1. She bore the loss of her husband with remarkable fortitude.

  2. Fortitude is considered one of the four cardinal virtues alongside prudence, justice, and temperance.