chutzpah

/ ˈxʊtspə /

noun

1. informal.
   shameless audacity; impudence

chutzpah

1. Yiddish term for courage bordering on arrogance, roughly equivalent to “nerve” (in the slang sense): “It took a lot of chutzpah to make such a controversial statement.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of chutzpah¹

C20: from Yiddish

Example Sentences

All it takes is the chutzpah to get together and commit to rigorous storytelling.

From Los Angeles Times

But there’s no shortage of ambition, chutzpah or appetite to provoke dizzying discombobulation among Conservatives.

From BBC

If freedom’s enemies project more chutzpah and garner more attention than its defenders do, democracy will remain in jeopardy—if it survives at all.

From Salon

The Nuggets trailed by double digits in the first four games and by nine Monday night before their championship chutzpah once again showed up just in time.

From Seattle Times

The potential for corruption is so immense it's stunning that anyone could have the chutzpah to run for president under these circumstances.

From Salon

Related Words

• arrogance
• audacity
• boldness
• gall