noun
Uncommon
audacity
aw-DA-sih-tee
Audacity (noun) means shocking boldness or nerve, especially when it disregards normal limits or manners. Example: “She had the audacity to ask for a refund after wearing the dress to a party.”
noun
1
Shocking boldness or nerve, especially when it disregards normal limits or manners.
"Somebody never pays his loans, yet he has the audacity to ask the bank for money."
"She had the audacity to ask for a refund after wearing the dress to a party."
"The brash private had the audacity to criticize the general."
2
Fearless daring; the willingness to take big risks.
"It took real audacity to launch a business with no savings and no backup plan."
How to use audacity
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBold nerve — often used disapprovingly, as in "the audacity to..."
Common mistake
In everyday speech, audacity is almost always negative ("the sheer audacity of it"), even though the word itself can be neutral or admiring.
Common pairings
have the audacity to
sheer audacity
the audacity of hope
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Word forms
- Plural
- audacities
Fill the gap
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She had the _____ to ask for a refund after wearing the dress to a party.
Etymology
From Latin audacia, "boldness," from audax, "bold."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for audacity
See all rhymes for audacity →Frequently asked questions
What does “audacity” mean?
The word “audacity” means shocking boldness or nerve, especially when it disregards normal limits or manners. In plain terms, bold nerve — often used disapprovingly, as in "the audacity to...".
How do you pronounce “audacity”?
“Audacity” is pronounced aw-DA-sih-tee (/ɔˈdæ.sɪ.ti/ in IPA).
How do you use “audacity” in a sentence?
Here is “audacity” used in a sentence: “She had the audacity to ask for a refund after wearing the dress to a party.”
What part of speech is “audacity”?
“Audacity” is a noun.
Where does the word “audacity” come from?
The word “audacity” comes from Latin. From Latin audacia, "boldness," from audax, "bold.".
Is “audacity” a common word?
“Audacity” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “audacity” have?
“Audacity” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: shocking boldness or nerve, especially when it disregards normal limits or manners.
