sassiness

[ sas-ee-nis ]

noun

1. a disrespectful or smart-alecky quality, especially of speech; impudence:

   Both kids have hit the stage of not listening, throwing tantrums, and just downright rudeness and sassiness.

2. smart boldness of style:

   In this album they return with a feisty yet mature sassiness that shows off their vocal capabilities.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sassiness¹

sassy ¹( def ) + -ness ( def )

Example Sentences

"There's some things—such as chronic sassiness—some folks never get over," he observed caustically.

From Project Gutenberg