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.

Synonyms

• audaciousness
• audacity
• brashness
• brass
• brassiness
• brazenness
• cheek
• cheekiness
• crust
• effrontery
• face
• gall
• nerve
• nerviness
• pertness
• presumption
• presumptuousness
• sauce
• sauciness
• temerity

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

Good morning to Paul Mescal, who went straight from his hotel to Monday’s Gucci men’s show in a rather flimsy pair of bedroom boxers—yet another gem in the crown for the king of thigh chutzpah. —Raven Smith, Vogue, 18 June 2024

The reference works so well because Susie, with her balance of earnest generosity and straight-talking chutzpah, is a classic archetype of Jewish lore. —Sarah Nechamkin, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2024

This calls to mind a classic Brooklyn expression: chutzpah. —Zellnor Myrie, New York Daily News, 28 Feb. 2024

McCrimmon plays her love scenes with a dizzying blend of horny chutzpah and genuine romantic feeling. —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 4 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Yiddish khutspe, from Late Hebrew ḥuṣpāh

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined above

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