effrontery

American  

[ih-fruhn-tuh-ree] / ɪˈfrʌn tə ri /

noun

plural

effronteries

1. shameless or impudent boldness; barefaced audacity.

   She had the effrontery to ask for two free samples.

   Synonyms:

   cheek, impudence, impertinence

2. an act or instance of this.

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effrontery British  

/ ɪˈfrʌntərɪ /

noun

1. shameless or insolent boldness; impudent presumption; audacity; temerity

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Etymology

Origin of effrontery

1705–15; < French effronterie, equivalent to Old French esfront shameless ( es- ex- ¹ + front brow; front ) + -erie -ery

Explanation

If you rudely behave as if you have a right to something that you have no right to, you're committing effrontery. When a couple stroll into a crowded restaurant, demand the best table, and threaten the staff unless they're seated right away, that's effrontery. People have been guilty of outrageously self-centered behavior at least since 1715, when effrontery was coined. Tracing to the French word effronté, meaning "shameless," the word effrontery is also connected to brazen, which means "of brass," and describes someone so accustomed to effrontery that he's hardened to it and has no concern for the harm done to others.

Example Sentences

One provision stands out for its sheer effrontery.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 25, 2025

Walters, who died Friday at 93, was America’s Grand Inquisitor, a groundbreaking journalist who was unafraid to probe the unapproachable with people unaccustomed to such effrontery.

From Slate • Dec. 31, 2022

He seemed to have a desire to shock and had been described as an astounding combination of insight, intuition and effrontery.

From BBC • Jul. 3, 2022

Thompson, skilled at both effrontery and anxiety, mines that tension brilliantly.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 16, 2022

We are a busy and dynamic organization whose mission needless effrontery and harassment can only hinder.

From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole