noun

chutzpah

KHUUTS-puh

Chutzpah (noun) means Bold self-confidence or audacity, especially of a shameless or impressive kind. Example: “It took real chutzpah to ask for a raise on his first day.”

noun

Bold self-confidence or audacity, especially of a shameless or impressive kind.

"It took real chutzpah to ask for a raise on his first day."

"She had the chutzpah to challenge her boss in front of the whole team."

How to use chutzpah

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishNerve — the guts to do or say something bold, cheeky, or outrageous.

When to use it

Informal, borrowed from Yiddish; common in everyday English, especially in the US.

Common pairings

have the chutzpah sheer chutzpah

Word forms

chutzpahs plural

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It took real _____ to ask for a raise on his first day.

Etymology

Borrowed from Yiddish khutspe, ultimately from an Aramaic word meaning "audacity" or "boldness".

Origin: Aramaic

Synonyms

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chutzpa hutzpah

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".