Audacious
/ɔːˈdeɪʃəs/
adjectiveC1
Definition
Audacious describes someone or something that is very brave and confident, often doing things that others think are risky or unusual. It can be positive, showing courage, or negative, meaning too bold or disrespectful.
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⚡ See It in Action
Very bold and willing to take risks
- •She made an audacious decision to start her own business at age 20.
- •The audacious plan surprised everyone because it was so different.
- •His audacious move in the game helped the team win.
Showing disrespect or lack of respect by being too bold
- •It was audacious of him to ignore the teacher’s instructions.
- •The audacious comment shocked the audience.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "audacious" like "brave," but much stronger and sometimes a little shocking or surprising
- ✓Picture a person climbing a tall, dangerous mountain without fear or a child speaking loudly in a quiet room, surprising everyone
- ✓It's the feeling when you see someone do something unexpected and bold, like trying a new idea no one else dared to try
- ✓Sounds like "aw-DAY-shus" → imagine someone saying "Oh day, she did that!" because it was so bold and surprising
- ✓Think of famous explorers or inventors who took big risks to discover new things or change the world
- ✓NOT like "shy" or "careful" — audacious people act without fear of what might happen
- ✓NOT just "bold" (which can be simply brave) — audacious often includes a sense of surprise or breaking rules
- ✓NOT like "rude" — audacious can be respectful but still very daring
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Daring: willing to take risks (Use when you want to focus on courage and risk-taking)
- •Bold: confident and brave (Use for general bravery without the surprise or shock)
- •Reckless: careless risk-taking (Use when audacious is negative and means too risky without thinking)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Prefix/root/suffix: "aud-" (Latin root related to hearing or boldness) + "-acious" (a suffix meaning full of or having the quality of)
- •Etymology: From Latin "audax," meaning bold or daring
- •Historical development: Used since the 1500s to describe brave or daring actions, sometimes with a negative sense of disrespect
- •Modern usage: Used to describe very brave or risky actions, often with a mix of admiration and surprise
💭 Reflect & Connect
•Can audacity be a good quality in all situations, or can it sometimes cause problems?
•How do you feel when someone does something audacious in your culture or community?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.The entrepreneur’s audacious idea ___ many people because it was very different from usual plans.
2.When she made the audacious decision, she showed ___ and confidence.
3.Unlike careful plans, an audacious move often involves ___ risks.
4.He was called audacious because he ___ the rules without fear.
5.People admired her audacious spirit, even though some thought it was ___.
6.An audacious action often ___ surprise or shock in others.
7.The team’s audacious strategy helped them ___ the game unexpectedly.