effrontery

noun ef·fron·tery \i-ˈfrən-tə-rē, e-\

: a very confident attitude or way of behaving that is shocking or rude

plural ef·fron·ter·ies

Full Definition of EFFRONTERY

: shameless boldness : insolence

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Origin of EFFRONTERY

French effronterie, ultimately from Medieval Latin effront-, effrons shameless, from Latin ex- + front-, frons forehead

First Known Use: 1697

Related to EFFRONTERY

Synonyms: audaciousness, audacity, 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 EFFRONTERY

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>.

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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "effrontery"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "effrontery"

Nglish: Translation of "effrontery" for Spanish speakers

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