What does barefacedly mean?
Barefacedly is an adverb meaning shamelessly, brazenly, and without apology. It is used to describe actions performed with conspicuous confidence, often in a way that offends ordinary standards of honesty, tact, or respect. A person might lie barefacedly, deny wrongdoing barefacedly, or make an unwelcome remark without showing embarrassment or concern for others’ reactions. The word can also emphasize that someone is acting openly and unapologetically, though this use often retains a critical tone. Derived from the compound barefaced, it is especially associated with behavior that seems deliberately bold and unguarded. Barefacedly is used in both British and American English, with broadly similar meaning. Although closely related to words such as brazenly and shamelessly, it often has a more literary or emphatic quality.
adverbIn a shamelessly bold or unapologetic manner; openly and brazenly.
- In a shamelessly bold, brazen, or unapologetic manner.
"The politician barefacedly denied any involvement in the scandal."
"The witness barefacedly refused to answer the question."
"She barefacedly asked why nobody had objected to the proposal."
Barefacedly turns an ordinary action into a public performance of audacity: it describes behavior that makes no attempt to hide.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does barefacedly come from?
Barefacedly is formed from the English compound barefaced, which developed in early modern English from bare and faced. Bare is inherited from Old English and conveys the idea of being uncovered or without concealment, while faced refers to the face or to presenting a face. The compound came to mean shameless or brazen, and the adverbial form barefacedly was later created with the standard suffix -ly. Related formations include the noun barefacedness and the adverb barely, while the parallel word shamefacedly reflects the same older sense of showing an uncovered or unembarrassed face.
How barefacedly is actually used
The word usually has a strongly negative connotation and is somewhat literary or formal compared with the more conversational word brazenly. It can also convey a sense of deliberate openness, as when someone makes a bold statement without embarrassment.
Easily confused with barefacedly
Barefaced is an adjective describing a shameless or brazen person, statement, or act, whereas barefacedly is the adverb modifying an action.