noun

audacity

aw-DA-sih-tee

noun

Shocking boldness or nerve, especially when it disregards normal limits or manners.

"She had the audacity to ask for a refund after wearing the dress to a party."

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 notes

In 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

audacities plural

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She had the _____ to ask for a refund after wearing the dress to a party.

From Latin audacia, "boldness," from audax, "bold."

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