Do you know the definition of audacity? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on the word audacity, including its definition, etymology, usage, example sentences, and more!
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According to sources like Collins English Dictionary and American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, the word audacity is a noun that refers to courage, shamelessness, or a brazen boldness. This word often has a negative connotation. Audacity can refer to the insolent heedlessness of restraints or personal safety, or an arrogant disregard for restrictions, prudence, propriety, or conventional thought. The plural of audacity is audacities in which the suffix ity is replaced with ies, the word audacity is four syllables – au-da-ci-ty, and the pronunciation of audacity is ɔˈdæsɪti.
Many other languages also contain words that mean audacity. You may notice that some of these words look quite similar to one another. This is likely because they share a common origin. Often, cognates, which are words and phrases that look, sound and mean similar things across languages, are formed when two words have a shared ancestral language such as Latin or Greek. This list of translations of audacity is provided by Word Sense but you could also find translations of audacity in something like a Spanish Dictionary, French electronic resource or German Dictionary.
According to Etymonline, the word audacity has been used since the early c15. This word comes from the Medieval Latin audacitas/Medieval Latin audācitāt, the Latin audācitās, from Latin audāc/audāx and the Latin audacis, which is the genitive of the Latin audax meaning bold, daring or rash.
What are synonyms and antonyms for audacity?
There are many different words that one can use in place of the word audacity. These are called synonyms, which are words and phrases that have the same definition as another word or phrase. Synonyms are useful to know if you are trying to avoid repeating yourself as well as if you would like to expand your vocabulary. This list of synonyms for the word audacity is provided by Power Thesaurus.
overconfidence
brass
braveness
heroic deed
presumptuousness
assurance
balls
boldness
dare
impudence
daringness
bad manners
lip
bravado
sass
brashness
defiance
adventurousness
enterprise
injudiciousness
courage
hardihood
valiance
arrogance
grit
heroism
gumption
courageousness
backbone
daring
bumptiousness
fearlessness
audaciousness
pertness
incivility
dauntlessness
disrespect
derring-do
daredeviltry
imprudence
spirit
sauciness
adventuresomeness
disrespectfulness
impertinence
rashness
determination
indiscretion
fortitude
guts
cheek
valour
mettle
effrontery
bravura
cheekiness
prowess
uppityness
ungraciousness
gallantry
pushiness
front
hutzpa
intrepidity
presumption
venturesomeness
chutzpah
brass neck
foolhardiness
valor
spunk
venturousness
forwardness
sauce
impoliteness
bravery
face
intrepidness
chutzpa
rudeness
contemptuousness
nerviness
crust
discourtesy
pluck
insolence
cockiness
recklessness
familiarity
brazenness
sassiness
gall
shamelessness
brassiness
daredevilry
immodesty
temerity
nerve
moxie
confidence
pride
There are also numerous different words that have the opposite meaning of the word audacity, which are called antonyms. Antonyms are useful to know when you are trying to expand your vocabulary. This list of antonyms for the word audacity is also provided by Power Thesaurus.
angst
modesty
ailment
courteousness
agony
gentility
agita
meekness
nervousness
cravenness
animation
graciousness
all-overs
yielding
consternation
ants in pants
chill
antsiness
anxiousness
butterflies in one’s stomach
chagrin
decency
cower
butterflies
commotion
diplomacy
blues
delicacy
delirium
atonement
collywobbles
deliciousness
cowardliness
confusion
conflict
chivalry
apprehension
civilization
attentiveness
burden
bother
daintiness
constraint
awkwardness
botheration
decorum
chemistry
dastardliness
circumspection
craziness
astuteness
comity
butterflies in the stomach
clemency
concern
coyness
cold feet
diffidence
compunction
depression
apprehensiveness
creeps
consideration
concernment
cowardness
fineness
fear
timorousness
care
fearfulness
cold sweat
amenity
blue funk
anguish
agitation
manners
carefulness
politeness
courtesy
alarum
mannerliness
humbleness
timidity
shyness
caution
civility
alarm
horror
humility
anxiety
timidness
hesitancy
annoyance
reserve
bashfulness
respect
fright
benevolence
dread
cowardice
How can the word audacity be used in a sentence?
The word audacity can be used in many different ways in the American English language. Using words in a sentence is a great way to memorize their definitions. You can also try making flashcards or quizzes for yourself. Below are several examples of audacity. Try using this word of the day in a sentence today!
The people could not believe the audacity of the coronavirus to impede every event in their lives – a graduation ceremony, engagement, even beverages with friends. They were grateful that the vaccine program was underway, and understanding of the mask mandate.
The lecturer could not believe the questioner’s audacity. The lecturer was one of the biggest pieces of talent in the paradigm of modern science, and had numerous achievements, but the listener had an aggressive boldness of behavior at her talk at Princeton University, implying ehr science skills were lesser because she is a woman.
The sheer audacity of the plan was enough to make most people turn their backs, but Marquise de Condillac and the king of Naples were game for the journey.
The reckless daring programmers sought to make operating systems better than Windows or Linux. Most people were shocked at their audacity, but came to know the multibillion dollar company as Apple and the subsequent Mac computer.
Overall, the word audacity means unmitigated effrontery or presumptuous impudence. This word is Latin in origin.
Kevin Miller is a growth marketer with an extensive background in Search Engine Optimization, paid acquisition and email marketing. He is also an online editor and writer based out of Los Angeles, CA. He studied at Georgetown University, worked at Google and became infatuated with English Grammar and for years has been diving into the language, demystifying the do's and don'ts for all who share the same passion! He can be found online here.