audaciousadj.
/ɔːˈdeɪʃəs/, U.S. /ɔˈdeɪʃəs/, /ɑˈdeɪʃəs/ 1.
a. Daring, bold, confident, intrepid.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > courage > daring > [adjective]
keenc897
dearOE
bolda1000
hardyc1225
yepec1275
crousea1400
jeopardousa1513
audacious1550
facing1564
venturous1565
daring1582
daring-hardy1597
audaculous1603
dareful1614
adventuresome1628
outdacious1742
risky1826
plucky1835
plucked1846
racy1901
have-a-go1953
philobatic1955
Boy's Own1967
the mind > emotion > courage > daring > reckless daring > [adjective]
audacious1550
saucy1609
daredevil1832
death or glory1840
James Bondish1966
James Bond1967
1550 T. Nicolls tr. Thucydides Hist. Peloponnesian War ii. cvi. 67 More bolde and audacious in this thing, wherein we have much experyence.
1693 J. Dryden tr. Ovid Iphis & Ianthe in Examen Poeticum 82 Big was her Voice, Audacious was her tone—The Maid becomes a Youth.
1712 R. Steele Spectator No. 436. ⁋9 Miller had an audacious Look, that took the Eye.
1826 W. Scott Woodstock I. i. 23 All eyes turned to the audacious speaker.
b. transferred to things.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > good taste > attractive or impressive quality > [adjective] > bold
audacious1616
1616 B. Jonson Epicœne ii. v, in Wks. I. 549 Shee that shall bee my wife, must bee accomplished with courtly, and audacious ornaments. View more context for this quotation
1855 J. L. Motley Rise Dutch Republic I. i. i. 96 The audacious and exquisitely embroidered tower of the town-house.
2. Unrestrained by, or setting at defiance, the principles of decorum and morality; presumptuously wicked, impudent, shameless.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pride > impudence > [adjective]
thristec897
bolda1000
keen1297
apert1330
smartc1400
malaperta1425
overbolda1425
affronted1485
saucy1511
impertinata1525
over-familiar1529
pert1535
cocket1537
cockapert1556
contumelious1561
impudent1563
brass-bold1582
pertlike1582
paughtya1586
audacious1586
copped1597
effronted1598
petulant1598
dortya1605
rufty-tufty1606
facy1607
snappish1608
bold-faceda1616
over-pert1621
impertinent1631
procacious1660
insolent1678
calleting1691
effrontuousa1734
imperent1771
free1775
sassy1799
pawky1809
iron-sideda1825
gilpie1835
cheeky1838
fresh1843
snouty1858
nebby1873
gay1889
nebsy1894
nervy1896
brass neck1925
facety1928
facey1929
brass-necked1935
chutzpadik1959
1586 W. Warner Albions Eng. i. i. 1 As hee and his audatious crewe the Tower of Babell reare.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 1 (1623) iii. i. 14 Such is thy audacious wickednesse. View more context for this quotation
1649 J. Milton Observations in Articles of Peace with Irish Rebels 60 But we are told, We imbrace Paganism and Judaism in the arms of toleration. A most audacious calumny.
1722 D. Defoe Moll Flanders 323 I grew more hardn'd and audacious than ever.
1825 J. Neal Brother Jonathan II. 259 Like an audacious profligate, as he was.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > courage > bravery or boldness > [adjective] > inspiring boldness
audaciousa1625
a1625 J. Fletcher Womans Prize ii. vi, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Ooooo2/1 They have got Metheglin, and audacious Ale, And talke like Tyrants.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1885; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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adj.1550