audacious
aw-DAY-shuss
/ɔːˈdeɪ.ʃəs/
Showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks, or showing an impudent lack of respect.
Can be positive (boldly innovative) or negative (brazenly rude or shameless).
The story behind the word. Traced to Latin 'audax' (daring), from 'audere' (to dare). Over time, English took 'audacious' to mean both shockingly bold risk-taking and brazen cheekiness.
Word relationships
- bold: Bold is simpler and neutral; audacious implies shock value or extreme risk.
- daring: Daring highlights physical or creative risk without the connotation of insolence.
- timid: Timid describes reluctance to take risks or attract attention.
- cautious: Cautious emphasizes careful avoidance of risk.
Commonly confused with
- audible: Audible means loud enough to be heard (from Latin audire, to hear).
Word family
- audacity (noun): willingness to take bold risks or impudence
- audaciously (adverb): in a bold or insolent manner
Collocations
- audacious plan
- audacious move
- audacious claim
Example sentences
- "The startup launched an audacious campaign aimed at dismantling the market leader." Business strategy
- "He made an audacious demand for a double salary increase on his first day." Social behavior
Memory hook
AUDACIOUS = AUDIENCE AWED. An audacious act makes the audience gasp. A dare that shocks the room.
When not to use
Do not use when describing quiet, modest, or conventional bravery.
Fun facts
- In modern business, 'audacious goals' are praised, whereas in Victorian etiquette, audacious was almost entirely an insult for rudeness.
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