audacious Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite invulnerable to fear or intimidation
    brave; dauntless; fearless; hardy; intrepid; unfearing.
    • audacious explorers
    • fearless reporters and photographers
    • intrepid pioneers
  2. adjective satellite unrestrained by convention or propriety
    brassy; insolent; bodacious; brazen; bald-faced; barefaced; brazen-faced.
    • an audacious trick to pull
    • a barefaced hypocrite
    • the most bodacious display of tourism this side of Anaheim"- Los Angeles Times
    • bald-faced lies
    • brazen arrogance
    • the modern world with its quick material successes and insolent belief in the boundless possibilities of progress"- Bertrand Russell
  3. adjective satellite disposed to venture or take risks
    daring; venturesome; venturous.
    • audacious visions of the total conquest of space
    • an audacious interpretation of two Jacobean dramas
    • the most daring of contemporary fiction writers
    • a venturesome investor
    • a venturous spirit

WordNet

Au*da"cious adjective
Etymology
F. audacieux, as if fr. LL. audaciosus (not found), fr. L. audacia audacity, fr. audax, -acis, bold, fr. audere to dare.
Definitions
  1. Daring; spirited; adventurous.
    As in a cloudy chair, ascending rides Audacious. Milton.
  2. Contemning the restraints of law, religion, or decorum; bold in wickedness; presumptuous; impudent; insolent. " Audacious traitor." Shak. " Such audacious neighborhood." Milton.
  3. Committed with, or proceedings from, daring effrontery or contempt of law, morality, or decorum. "Audacious cruelty." "Audacious prate." Shak.

Webster 1913