gall
word
/ˈɡɔɫ/
/ɡˈɔːl/
Definition
'Gall' can mean bitterness or bold rudeness; it is also a word for bile, a digestive fluid produced by the liver.
Usage & Nuances
Very formal or literary when meaning 'bile'; negative, often informal, when used to mean rude boldness ('the gall to do something'). Commonly paired: 'have the gall', 'with gall'. Rare in everyday speech except for these fixed phrases.
Spanish: descaro - bilisPortuguese (BR): ousadia - bílisPortuguese (PT): atrevimento - bílisChinese (Simplified): 胆汁 - 厚颜无耻Chinese (Traditional): 膽汁 - 厚顏無恥Hindi: पीळ - ढिठाईArabic: مرارة - وقاحةBengali: ধৃষ্টতা - তিক্ততা - পিত্তRussian: наглость - желчьJapanese: 厚かましさ - 胆汁Vietnamese: sự trơ tráo - sự cay độc - mật (dịch) Korean: 뻔뻔스러움 - 담즙Turkish: cüret - safra - acılık (mecaz)Urdu: گستاخی - تلخی - صفراIndonesian: kelancangan - empedu - kepahitan
Example Sentences
Bile is also called gall in biology.
basic
She spoke with gall about her manager.
basic
Can you believe he had the gall to ask for a raise after missing so many deadlines?
natural
Her criticism had real gall behind it—she didn't hold anything back.
natural
Too much gall in the body can cause illness.
natural
He had the gall to lie to my face.
basic