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

Jordan’s effrontery is pretty rich.

From Los Angeles Times

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