chutzpah

noun

chutz·​pah ˈhu̇t-spə  ˈḵu̇t- 

-(ˌ)spä

variants or less commonly chutzpa or hutzpah or hutzpa

: supreme self-confidence : nerve, gall

It took a lot of chutzpah to stand up to him the way she did.

Did you know?

The word chutzpah has been boldly circulating through English since the mid-1800s. It comes from the Yiddish word khutspe, which comes in turn from the Hebrew word ḥuṣpāh. The ch in chutzpah indicates a rasping sound from the back of the throat that exists in many languages, including Yiddish. That sound is not part of English phonology, so it follows that the c is sometimes dropped in both the pronunciation and spelling of the word. Some speakers of Yiddish feel that chutzpah has been diluted in English use, no longer properly conveying the monumental nature of the gall that is implied. A classic example can be found in Leo Rosten’s 1968 book The Joys of Yiddish, which defines chutzpah as “that quality enshrined in a man who, having killed his mother and father, throws himself on the mercy of the court because he is an orphan.”

Synonyms of chutzpah

• gall
• nerve
• arrogance
• audacity

Choose the Right Synonym for chutzpah

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 chutzpah in a Sentence

had the chutzpah to demand that he be treated as a special case and be given priority in settling his insurance claim

Recent Examples on the Web

Our chutzpah became more evident. —Jenny B. Fine, Footwear News, 8 May 2026

Turner never seemed at a loss for brass or chutzpah. —David Folkenflik, NPR, 6 May 2026

But for the here and now, give Vodnik props for chutzpah. —Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 17 Apr. 2026

Trump implicitly understands that chutzpah is necessary to transcend ordinary constraints and achieve heroic, even mythic stature. —Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 13 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Yiddish khutspe, from Late Hebrew ḥuṣpāh

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for chutzpah

• aa
• aha
• bashaw
• bradshaw
• byelaw
• bylaw
• chainsaw
• cheraw
• coleslaw
• crenshaw
• dada
• esau

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Kids Definition

chutzpah

noun

chutz·​pah

variants also chutzpa or hutzpah or hutzpa

ˈhu̇t-spə 

ˈḵu̇t-, 

-(ˌ)spä

: nerve sense 3c

Etymology

Yiddish; of Hebrew origin