Main Entry: au·da·cious

Pronunciation: \ȯ-ˈdā-shəs\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle French audacieux, from audace boldness, from Latin audacia, from audac-, audax bold, from audēre to dare, from avidus eager — more at avid

Date: 1550

1 a : intrepidly daring : adventurous <an audacious mountain climber> b : recklessly bold : rash <an audacious maneuver>
2 : contemptuous of law, religion, or decorum : insolent
3 : marked by originality and verve <audacious experiments>

— au·da·cious·ly adverb

— au·da·cious·ness noun