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 hutzpah 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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Liccardo has the smarts, curiosity, nuance, experience and chutzpah to be a standout representative of Silicon Valley in Washington, D.C. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2024 Sure enough, Cath resurfaces, first seen in the prologue by Jennifer Landon and later played by a deliciously against-type Glenn Close, whose red-haired Southern chutzpah suggests Reba McEntire with a larcenous streak. Peter Debruge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2024 While Israel has not officially claimed responsibility, the combination of tech savvy, intelligence work, and sheer chutzpah involved in pulling off the attack left little room for doubt. The Editors, National Review, 25 Sep. 2024 The Vodafone Japan deal, on the other hand, was executed at a time when SoftBank was tottering, required extraordinary chutzpah, flawless execution and a ton of cash. Alok Sama, Fortune Asia, 17 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for chutzpah 

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 10 Nov. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!