Someone audacious is very bold and willing to take surprising risks, sometimes in a way that seems rude or shocking.
It comes from Latin *audax*, meaning 'bold, daring', from *audere* 'to dare'. The English form developed through French *audacieux*.
The line between 'audacious' and 'reckless' is mostly about results and perspective—successful risk-takers get praised, failed ones get scolded. Many breakthroughs in art, science, and business started as audacious ideas that seemed ridiculous at first.
Traits like being 'audacious' have often been praised in men as boldness while criticized in women as inappropriate or unfeminine, reflecting gendered norms around risk-taking and assertiveness.
Use 'audacious' consistently across genders for comparable actions, and be explicit about what makes an act bold rather than relying on gendered expectations.
["bold","daring","courageous","innovative"]
When highlighting audacious achievements, include women and marginalized genders whose bold actions have historically been minimized or reframed as deviant rather than visionary.
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