ENGLISH
REFERENCE

brazen

adj.
C1 Advanced US //ˈbɹeɪzən// UK //bɹˈeɪzən// brazen Archaic

adj. doing something shocking or bad without feeling embarrassed or ashamed. You use this to describe someone who is bold in a way that is a bit rude.

adj. bold and without shame; characterized by a lack of concern for social propriety or the consequences of one's actions. Often carries a negative connotation of being insolent or defiant.


SIMPLE

He told a brazen lie to the police.

CONTEXTUAL

The thief made a brazen attempt to steal the painting in broad daylight while the museum was full of tourists.

COMPLEX

The company's brazen disregard for environmental regulations eventually led to a massive public relations crisis and several high-profile resignations from the board.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English brasen, from Old English bræsen (“brazen, of brass”); equivalent to brass + -en (compare golden, wooden, etc.). The word originally meant “of brass”; the figurative verb sense (as in brazen it out (“face impudently”)) dates from the 1550s (perhaps evoking the sense “face like brass, unmoving and not showing shame”), and the adjective sense “impudent” from the 1570s. Compare brass neck, bold as brass.

Usage

Typically used to modify nouns related to behavior, such as 'lie', 'attempt', or 'disregard'.

Idioms1 entry

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