effrontery

[ ih-fruhn-tuh-ree ]
/ ɪˈfrʌn tə ri /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR effrontery ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural ef·fron·ter·ies.

shameless or impudent boldness; barefaced audacity: She had the effrontery to ask for two free samples.
an act or instance of this.

Origin of effrontery

1705–15; < French effronterie, equivalent to Old French esfront shameless ( es- ex-1 + front brow; see front) + -erie -ery

Words nearby effrontery

effort bargain, effort syndrome, effortful, effortless, effraction, effrontery, effulgence, effulgent, effuse, effusiometer, effusion

Words related to effrontery

gall, presumption, chutzpah, self-confidence, crust, arrogance, lip, sauce, impudence, assurance, impertinence, temerity, incivility, brazenness, self-assurance, cheekiness, brashness, rudeness, brass, backtalk

Example sentences from the Web for effrontery

British Dictionary definitions for effrontery

effrontery
/ (ɪˈfrʌntərɪ) /

noun plural -ies

shameless or insolent boldness; impudent presumption; audacity; temerity

Word Origin for effrontery

C18: from French effronterie, from Old French esfront barefaced, shameless, from Late Latin effrons, literally: putting forth one's forehead; see front