audacious

Audacious is an adjective describing a willingness to take bold, often risky actions; it can convey admiration for boldness or, in some contexts, a sense of disrespect or impudence. In positive usage, an audacious plan or initiative is one that pushes boundaries and challenges conventional limits. In a harsher sense, it can describe behavior that is brazen or presumptuous, lacking proper respect for rules or norms. The word is commonly applied to endeavors in science, business, art, and exploration.

The word derives from Latin audax, audac- 'bold', from audere 'to dare', via Old French audacieux. The noun forms are audacity and audaciousness; the adverb is audaciously.

In contemporary usage, audacious often carries a connotation of striking daring, especially when surpassing limits or prevailing norms. It tends to be more formal or literary than everyday synonyms like bold or daring. In journalism or criticism, calling a plan audacious can imply both praise and caution, depending on context. Related terms include audacity as a noun, audaciousness as a noun, and adverbial form audaciously; near-antonyms include cautious, prudent, conventional.