chutzpah
9 synonyms for chutzpah, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Bold self-confidence or audacity, especially of a shameless or impressive kind.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use chutzpah
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
have the chutzpah
sheer chutzpah
Informal, borrowed from Yiddish; common in everyday English, especially in the US.
Etymology
Borrowed from Yiddish khutspe, ultimately from an Aramaic word meaning "audacity" or "boldness".
Full origin of chutzpah →Frequently asked questions
What does “chutzpah” mean?
The word “chutzpah” means bold self-confidence or audacity, especially of a shameless or impressive kind. In plain terms, nerve — the guts to do or say something bold, cheeky, or outrageous.
How do you pronounce “chutzpah”?
“Chutzpah” is pronounced KHUUTS-puh (/ˈxʊts.pə/ in IPA).
How do you use “chutzpah” in a sentence?
Here is “chutzpah” used in a sentence: “It took real chutzpah to ask for a raise on his first day.”
What part of speech is “chutzpah”?
“Chutzpah” is a noun.
Where does the word “chutzpah” come from?
The word “chutzpah” comes from Aramaic. Borrowed from Yiddish khutspe, ultimately from an Aramaic word meaning "audacity" or "boldness".
