Audacity Meaning
/ɔːˈdæ.sɪ.ti/Definition, CEFR level C2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounInsolent boldness, especially when imprudent or unconventional.
nounFearlessness, intrepidity or daring, especially with confident disregard for personal safety, conventional thought, or other restrictions.
Sentence Examples
I am amazed at your audacity.
I'm amazed at your audacity.
Ziri had the audacity to message Rima's father.
CEFR Practice Quiz
He had the ____ to interrupt the president's speech and demand an explanation.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He had the ____ to ask for a raise after being late every day.
Word Origin & History
From late Middle English audacite, from Medieval Latin audacitas, from Latin audax (“bold”), from audeō (“to be bold, to dare”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"“Oh?” she said. “So you have decided to revise my guest list for me? You have the nerve, the – the –” I saw she needed helping out. “Audacity,” I said, throwing her the line. “The audacity to dictate to me who I shall have in my house.” It should have been “whom”, but I let it go. “You have the –” “Crust.” “– the immortal rind,” she amended, and I had to admit it was stronger, “to tell me whom” – she got it right that time – “I may entertain at Brinkley Court and who” – wrong again – “I may not.”"
— 1960, P[elham] G[renville] Wodehouse, chapter XVIII, in Jeeves in the Offing, London: Herbert Jenkins, →OCLC:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
He had the ____ to interrupt the president's speech and demand an explanation.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He had the ____ to ask for a raise after being late every day.