audacity

USAGE SUMMARY

"audacity" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to an attitude of daring or boldness, or to describe someone or something that is unusually daring or bold. For example: "He showed remarkable audacity when he decided to quit his job and start his own business with no previous experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Turning to Paul Le Guen was bold, imaginative and seemingly unrealistic but demonstrative of a degree of audacity that Murray has often matched with persuasiveness to great effect.

The Guardian - Sport

"There's a sort of old-fashioned audacity about it," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

The Guardian

You have to admire the audacity of releasing a song about dealing with haters, when one happens to be one of the least-hated artists in the pop cosmos.

The Guardian - Music

This would learn from the mass appeal of cultural movements like Afrofuturism, take on the knowledge and international clout of the Foresight for Development programme, delivered with the entrepreneurial audacity of the Ampion Venture Bus Africa and Thomas Aquilina's attention to detail.

The Guardian - Tech

The tax cut package is a variations of ideas already proposed by Ukip and the Liberal Democrats, but left Labour gasping at "the audacity of David Cameron offering himself as custodian of public finances, and the provider of such unfounded tax cuts".

The Guardian

In hindsight, her vulnerability meant she was the perfect first victim for a serial killer whose audacity would escalate with each strike.

The Guardian

Maybe you should learn to bite your tongue when you're sitting in a New Zealand layby with a policeman at your window, having been pulled over for the third time in a week for going a few miles over the speed limit (and, once, a few miles under), and you have a sneaking suspicion it might be because you're a woman in her early 20s with the audacity to drive a motorhome.

The Guardian

What all this seems to suggest is that, as a society, we are more concerned about, and outraged by, a young woman's audacity in standing up to sexual harassment than we are about the month-long, everyday campaign of verbal abuse she endured on her walk to work.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Hopefully we will get some benefit in people wanting to do more for [the military]." Said Cooper: "We would never have the audacity to say that this movie is what America needs All we tried to do is portray this man as honestly as possible.

The Guardian - Film

The texture of this speech, the audacity of its hope, mattered more than any of its component parts.

The Guardian - Opinion

The scale and audacity of a raid on the heart of London's jewellery trade became clear on Wednesday as Scotland Yard revealed that a gang had broken into as many as 70 safe-deposit boxes containing jewellery and valuables, much of their cache uninsured.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "audacity" when you want to emphasize a bold or daring action, especially when it might be seen as unconventional or even disrespectful. Consider the context carefully, as it can carry a negative connotation.

Common error

Don't use "audacity" when simple courage or bravery is meant. "Audacity" implies a level of boldness that might be seen as inappropriate or disrespectful, while courage is generally seen as a positive trait.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "audacity" is as a noun. It typically serves as the subject or object of a sentence, denoting a quality or characteristic. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, especially referring to insolent boldness or fearlessness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "audacity" is a noun denoting insolent boldness or fearless daring. It is grammatically correct and very commonly used, as verified by Ludwig AI. While it can be found in various contexts, it is most frequently used in News & Media and Formal & Business writing. Remember that while it conveys boldness, it may also imply a negative connotation of being disrespectful or unconventional. When writing, ensure that you intend to convey this specific meaning, rather than just simple courage. Consider alternatives such as "boldness", "temerity", or "impudence" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

boldness

Refers to the quality of being daring or courageous, similar to "audacity" but without the negative connotation of impudence.

temerity

Implies excessive confidence or boldness, often seen as foolish or reckless, much like the negative connotation of "audacity".

impudence

Highlights the disrespectful or cheeky boldness, focusing on the disregard for social norms.

nerve

Focuses on the courage to do something difficult or dangerous, sharing the fearless element of "audacity".

cheek

Stresses the impolite or disrespectful nature of the boldness.

gall

Implies extreme impudence or arrogance.

brazenness

Emphasizes the shameless or defiant nature of the boldness.

intrepidity

Highlights the fearlessness and adventurous spirit.

daring

Emphasizes the willingness to take risks, a core component of "audacity".

courage

Focuses on the bravery and strength to face danger or adversity, a more positive aspect of the term.

FAQs

How to use "audacity" in a sentence?

You can use "audacity" to describe someone's bold or daring behavior, especially when it's considered unconventional or even impudent. For example: "He had the "audacity" to challenge the CEO's decision."

What can I say instead of "audacity"?

You can use alternatives like "boldness", "temerity", or "impudence" depending on the context and the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "audacity" and courage?

"Audacity" implies a bold, sometimes even disrespectful, disregard for norms, while courage generally refers to bravery in the face of fear or adversity without necessarily implying impropriety.

When is it appropriate to use "audacity"?

Use "audacity" when you want to highlight the boldness of an action, especially if there's an element of risk-taking or unconventional behavior involved. However, be mindful of the potential negative connotations of disrespect or impudence.