effrontery

[ ih-fruhn-tuh-ree ]

noun

, plural ef·fron·ter·ies.

1. shameless or impudent boldness; barefaced audacity:

   She had the effrontery to ask for two free samples.

   Synonyms: cheek, impudence, impertinence

2. an act or instance of this.

effrontery

/ ɪˈfrʌntərɪ /

noun

1. shameless or insolent boldness; impudent presumption; audacity; temerity

Word History and Origins

Origin of effrontery¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of effrontery¹

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

Example Sentences

It was followed by the trademark look of complete effrontery at the perceived injustice of it all, even though there was none.

From BBC

It added: “Perhaps someone will say the Jews deserve this fate. Saying this is in itself a colossal effrontery.”

From New York Times

They are apparently seething over his rude effrontery, the serve-my-whims, feed-me-another-grape demands that they “indemnify” him from anything, ever, before he will free them from his odious presence by selling.

From Washington Post

The four band members were low-born Northerners from a dingy port town with no formal education; their success was against the natural order of things, an act of effrontery.

From Los Angeles Times

He seemed to have a desire to shock and had been described as an astounding combination of insight, intuition and effrontery.

From BBC