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adj

audacious

aw-DAY-shuhs

Audacious (adj) means bold and daring, often to the point of taking real risks. Example: “It was an audacious plan to rob the bank in broad daylight.”

adj
1
Bold and daring, often to the point of taking real risks.
"It was an audacious plan to rob the bank in broad daylight."
"The startup made an audacious bid to take on the industry giant."
2
Rude or disrespectfully bold; showing a shocking lack of manners.
"It was audacious of him to demand a raise on his first day."

How to Use Audacious

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishFearlessly bold — can be admiring (a daring plan) or critical (shockingly rude), depending on context.

Common pairings
an audacious plan audacious move audacious enough to

Word Forms

more audacious comparative, most audacious superlative

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It was an _____ plan to rob the bank in broad daylight.

Etymology

From Latin audax, "bold," from audere, "to dare."

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for audacious

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “audacious” mean?

The word “audacious” means bold and daring, often to the point of taking real risks. In plain terms, fearlessly bold — can be admiring (a daring plan) or critical (shockingly rude), depending on context.

How do you pronounce “audacious”?

“Audacious” is pronounced aw-DAY-shuhs (/ɔˈdeɪ.ʃəs/ in IPA).

How do you use “audacious” in a sentence?

Here is “audacious” used in a sentence: “It was an audacious plan to rob the bank in broad daylight.”

What part of speech is “audacious”?

“Audacious” is an adjective.

Where does the word “audacious” come from?

The word “audacious” comes from Latin. From Latin audax, "bold," from audere, "to dare.".

How many meanings does “audacious” have?

“Audacious” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: bold and daring, often to the point of taking real risks.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial