effrontery
/ɛˈfɹʌntəɹi/
Group 32Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (noun)
- Insolent or impertinent behavior; audacity GRE
Example in Context
Colleagues were stunned by the sheer effrontery of the junior partner, who had unilaterally committed the firm to a deal without consulting anyone.
Synonyms
nerveaudacitygall
Etymology
From Latin 'effrontis', meaning shameless, as if one has no forehead to hide behind.
- frons (Latin) — forehead
Memory Aid
👕Sounds like “a front tee”
Picture someone wearing a T-SHIRT that says 'I HAVE NO SHAME' — that’s pure EFFRONTERY!
Visual Association
😲A person boldly cutting in line, wearing a shirt that brags about their audacity.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “effrontery” mean on the GRE?
effrontery (noun) means “Insolent or impertinent behavior; audacity”. Colleagues were stunned by the sheer effrontery of the junior partner, who had unilaterally committed the firm to a deal without consulting anyone.
How to remember “effrontery” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “effrontery” sounds like “a front tee”. Picture someone wearing a T-SHIRT that says 'I HAVE NO SHAME' — that’s pure EFFRONTERY!
What are synonyms for “effrontery”?
Common synonyms: nerve, audacity, gall.