gall
15 synonyms for gall, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Bold, brazen nerve; shameless audacity.
Synonyms
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.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
Bold, brazen nerve; shameless audacity.
“He had the gall to ask for a raise after being late all month.”
How to use gall
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
have the gall to
gall and wormwood
it galls me
Etymology
From Old English geealla ("bile"). The figurative sense of "nerve" or "audacity" grew out of old medical beliefs that linked bile to bitterness and boldness of temperament.
Full origin of gall →Frequently asked questions
What does “gall” mean?
The word “gall” means bold, brazen nerve; shameless audacity. In plain terms, either shameless nerve, or bile/bitterness, or a chafed sore or plant growth — context makes clear which.
How do you pronounce “gall”?
“Gall” is pronounced gawl (/ɡɔːl/ in IPA).
How do you use “gall” in a sentence?
Here is “gall” used in a sentence: “He had the gall to ask for a raise after being late all month.”
What is another word for “gall”?
Words with a similar meaning to “gall” include nutgall.
What part of speech is “gall”?
Depending on how it is used, “gall” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “gall” come from?
The word “gall” comes from Old English. From Old English geealla ("bile"). The figurative sense of "nerve" or "audacity" grew out of old medical beliefs that linked bile to bitterness and boldness of temperament.
Is “gall” a common word?
“Gall” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “gall” have?
“Gall” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: bold, brazen nerve; shameless audacity.
