Word
audacious
Phoneticsau·da·cious, stress on the second syllable
US/ɑˈdeɪʃəs/
UK/ɔːdˈeɪʃəs/
Definition
adj. very bold and daring. You use this to describe someone who does something risky or surprising that most people would not try.
adj. characterised by boldness, daring, or a willingness to take significant risks. Often used to describe actions or plans that are unconventional and potentially dangerous.
Examples
“The team made an audacious move to buy the company.”
“The architect's audacious design for the new museum includes a glass roof that looks like a giant bubble.”
“Her audacious proposal to merge the two rival departments was initially met with skepticism, but it eventually proved to be the most effective way to streamline operations.”
Examples
simple
“The team made an audacious move to buy the company.”
contextual
“The architect's audacious design for the new museum includes a glass roof that looks like a giant bubble.”
complex
“Her audacious proposal to merge the two rival departments was initially met with skepticism, but it eventually proved to be the most effective way to streamline operations.”
Real-World Examples
“The pair conjured a feat of audacious imagination, a call-to-arms cacophony of twangy guitars, lusty yodelling, voodoo incantations, comedy gunshots and euphoric, communal chanting.” “It is 50 years since Antonin Panenka won the European Championship for Czechoslovakia with the most audacious penalty ever taken.” Etymology
From Latin audacia (“boldness”), from audax (“bold”), from audeō (“I am bold, I dare”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/audacious