audacity

noun au·dac·i·ty \ȯ-ˈda-sə-tē\

: a confident and daring quality that is often seen as shocking or rude : an audacious quality

plural au·dac·i·ties

Full Definition of AUDACITY

: the quality or state of being audacious: as

a : intrepid boldness

b : bold or arrogant disregard of normal restraints <had the audacity to defy his boss>

: an audacious act —usually used in plural <her worst audacities did not seem to surprise him — Edith Wharton>

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Origin of AUDACITY

Middle English audacite, from Latin audac-, audax

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to AUDACITY

Synonyms: audaciousness, effrontery, brashness, brass, brassiness, brazenness, cheek, cheekiness, chutzpah (also chutzpa or hutzpah or hutzpa), crust, face, gall, nerve, nerviness, pertness, presumption, presumptuousness, sauce, sauciness, temerity

Synonym Discussion of AUDACITY

temerity, audacity, hardihood, effrontery, nerve, cheek, gall, chutzpah mean conspicuous or flagrant boldness. temerity suggests boldness arising from rashness and contempt of danger <had the temerity to refuse>. audacity implies a disregard of restraints commonly imposed by convention or prudence <an entrepreneur with audacity and vision>. hardihood suggests firmness in daring and defiance <admired for her hardihood>. effrontery implies shameless, insolent disregard of propriety or courtesy <outraged at his effrontery>. nerve, cheek, gall, and chutzpah are informal equivalents for effrontery <the nerve of that guy> <has the cheek to call herself a singer> <had the gall to demand proof> <the chutzpah needed for a career in show business>.