chutzpah

noun

chutz·​pah ˈhu̇t-spə How to pronounce chutzpah (audio) ˈḵu̇t- How to pronounce chutzpah (audio)
-(ˌ)spä
variants or less commonly chutzpa or or hutzpa
: supreme self-confidence : nerve, gall
It took a lot of chutzpah to stand up to him the way she did.
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 But occasionally, in a piece of acting predicated on both rigor and flexibility, a performer risks going someplace weird that indicates humanity, personality or just chutzpah. Wesley Morris, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2024 A little pride, a little chutzpah changed the tenor on the court from frazzled and small to proud and intentional. Shayna Rubin, The Mercury News, 25 Jan. 2024 A little chutzpah never hurt anybody, but a founder with more confidence than knowledge is antithetical to successful company building. Tom Chavez, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024 If true, that’s some major chutzpah on TikTok’s part, given that AI creations can’t be copyrighted and, depending on the AI-training material, may in themselves violate copyright. David Meyer, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2024 Call it a juggling act, a triumph in diplomacy, a vision gone right, or sheer chutzpah. Brian T. Allen, National Review, 14 Dec. 2023 Ebert may have been intensely conscious of a rivalry with Siskel, but Siskel’s competitive ferocity and confrontational chutzpah were on another level. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 17 Nov. 2023 But what’s not in the TCM video is the Hollywood director recounting a chance meeting between Meyers and Cary Grant, not on a red carpet or at a glitzy Hollywood party, but over what can be described only as chutzpah on the part of a young woman new to the movie game in 1976. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Dec. 2023 The music of Mushroom, its mighty roster, and the chutzpah, energy and x-factor of its late leader Michael Gudinski was on display Sunday, Nov. 26 for Mushroom 50 Live, an all-star concert celebrating the independent music company’s half century. Lars Brandle, Billboard, 29 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'chutzpah.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Yiddish khutspe, from Late Hebrew ḥuṣpāh

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chutzpah was in 1867

Dictionary Entries Near chutzpah

Cite this Entry

“Chutzpah.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chutzpah. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

chutzpah

noun
chutz·​pah
variants also chutzpa or hutzpah or hutzpa
ˈhu̇t-spə How to pronounce chutzpah (audio)
ˈḵu̇t-,
-(ˌ)spä
Etymology

Yiddish; of Hebrew origin

More from Merriam-Webster on chutzpah

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