effrontery

noun

ef·​fron·​tery i-ˈfrən-tə-rē 

e-

plural effronteries

: shameless boldness : insolence

Did you know?

A bald-faced liar (or barefaced liar, if you prefer) is one who has no shame about their dishonesty. Is it possible to be so shameless, so bald or bare of face as to be completely without a forehead? If this strikes you as an odd question (it is), consider the history of effrontery, a formal synonym of such informal words for shamelessness as nerve, cheek, and gall. The word traces back to the Medieval Latin adjective effrons, formed by combining the Latin prefix ex-, meaning “out” or “without,” with frons, the Latin word for “forehead.” Medieval Latin users didn’t use it to mean “without forehead,” however, but “shameless.” While the connection between the word’s literal origins and figurative meaning is unclear, some theorists have noted frons was sometimes used for the ability to blush, suggesting that someone acting with effrontery betrays no embarrassed feelings (visibly, at least) about their mendacity.

Synonyms of effrontery

• gall
• nerve
• arrogance
• audacity
• temerity

Choose the Right Synonym for effrontery

temerity, audacity, hardihood, effrontery, nerve, cheek, gall, chutzpah mean conspicuous or flagrant boldness.

temerity suggests boldness arising from rashness and contempt of danger.

had the temerity to refuse

audacity implies a disregard of restraints commonly imposed by convention or prudence.

an entrepreneur with audacity and vision

hardihood suggests firmness in daring and defiance.

admired for her hardihood

effrontery implies shameless, insolent disregard of propriety or courtesy.

outraged at his effrontery

nerve, cheek, gall, and chutzpah are informal equivalents for effrontery.

the nerve of that guy

has the cheek to call herself a singer

had the gall to demand proof

the chutzpah needed for a career in show business

Examples of effrontery in a Sentence

the little squirt had the effrontery to deny eating any cookies, even with the crumbs still on his lips

Recent Examples on the Web

But in the ’80s, Murphy, with his sleek swagger and bedroom eyes, was the comedian as rock-star pin-up, and that smolder of glamour was built into the effrontery of his act. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 21 Nov. 2025

The Wall Street Journal had the effrontery to publish a piece painful to Trump—painful because the truth hurts. — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025

Both clever, the younger had the effrontery to be popular and sporty, too. — Esther Freud, Vogue, 2 July 2025

Ani is one of HQ’s best girls, and Madison plays her with a bawdy effrontery and a disarming grin that seems to widen by a mile under neon lights. — Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French effronterie, ultimately from Medieval Latin effront-, effrons shameless, from Latin ex- + front-, frons forehead

First Known Use

1641, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

effrontery

noun

ef·​fron·​tery i-ˈfrənt-ə-rē 

e-

plural effronteries

: shameless display of boldness : nerve sense 3c

had the effrontery to deny any guilt