impertinent
adjective
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English speakers adopted both impertinent and pertinent from Anglo-French in the 14th century. Both words derive from the present participle of the Latin verb pertinēre, meaning "to pertain." Initially, impertinent was used for things that are simply not relevant. Over time, it came to be used of things that are not only irrelevant but rudely or inappropriately so, and later for people who are just straight-out rude.
Synonyms
- arch
- audacious
- bold
- bold-faced
- brash
- brassbound
- brassy
- brazen
- brazen-faced
- cheeky
- cocksure
- cocky
- fresh
- impudent
- insolent
- nervy
- sassy
- saucy
- wise
Example Sentences
Naledi Ushe, USA TODAY, 10 July 2022 The founder’s family then made headlines with a brawl that involved an impertinent chauffeur, two stepchildren and a wrench. Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2022 Audiences seek controversy not just to open their minds, not just to annoy their betters, but because to hear impertinent, unapproved talk feels like freedom. WSJ, 1 Feb. 2022 But to make their case, the justices have stepped away from the bench and into the public square, defending the status quo against impertinent, often partisan critics. Joel Mathis, The Week, 1 Oct. 2021 The city’s Ethics Advisory Commission had decided that the statement from Adam Bazaldua violated a rule saying that officials should not make rude or impertinent comments. Kevin Krause, Dallas News, 10 Sep. 2021 There were gleeful pigs decorated with pink flowers and impertinent lions with diamond tails. Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Aug. 2021 Father Byrne got up, exchanged words with the impertinent young man, and returned to his seat. Mike Kerrigan, WSJ, 3 Aug. 2021 The series cuts the tension and taboo with keen humor, often bordering on the impertinent, but Sam is never the butt of the joke. Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2021 See More Word History
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin impertinent-, impertinens, from Latin in- + pertinent-, pertinens, present participle of pertinēre to pertain
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Kids Definition
impertinent
adjective
impertinent
adjective
Synonyms & Similar Words
- impudent
- insolent
- wise
- brazen
- cocky
- cheeky
- saucy
- sassy
- blunt
- bold
- cocksure
- defiant
- brash
- brassy
- audacious
- fresh
- assertive
- nervy
- arch
- brazen-faced
- cute
- disrespectful
- brassbound
- bold-faced
- curt
- obtrusive
- flippant
- smart
- unblushing
- forward
- facetious
- shameless
- unabashed
- mouthy
- bluff
- pert
- flip
- lippy
- smart-aleck
- smart-alecky
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- timid
- meek
- shy
- polite
- modest
- humble
- mousy
- demure
- mannerly
- genteel
- proper
- courteous
- deferential
- retiring
- respectful
- mousey
- embarrassed
- abashed
- shamefaced
- mild
- gentle
- blushing
- inconspicuous
- unobtrusive
- ashamed
Synonyms & Similar Words
- rude
- unmannerly
- impolite
- ungracious
- disrespectful
- thoughtless
- discourteous
- arrogant
- uncivil
- abrupt
- inconsiderate
- unhandsome
- blunt
- impudent
- ill-mannered
- unmannered
- insolent
- ill-bred
- curt
- uncalled-for
- gruff
- vulgar
- improper
- uncouth
- incorrect
- brazen
- boorish
- churlish
- cheeky
- saucy
- bold
- brash
- sassy
- audacious
- brusque
- loutish
- clownish
- shameless
- disagreeable
- brassy
- indecorous
- unseemly
- lippy
- supercilious
- presumptuous
- arch
- indecent
- surly
- snippy
- caddish
- fresh
- conceited
- haughty
- sullen
- bumptious
- antisocial
- pompous
- imperious
- crabbed
- crusty
- pretentious
- peremptory
- grumpy
- brusk
- cross
- bold-faced
- sharp
- snippety
- superior
- high-handed
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- polite
- genteel
- civil
- mannerly
- modest
- gracious
- thoughtful
- courteous
- humble
- appropriate
- deferential
- considerate
- meek
- dutiful
- respectful
- unassertive
- seemly
- decorous
- suitable
- correct
- proper
- acceptable
- genial
- respectable
- right
- well-bred
- cordial
- submissive
- becoming
- befitting
- affable
- good
- hospitable
- friendly
- fitting
- felicitous
- meet
- gallant
- sociable
- graceful
- yielding
- decent
- fit
- chivalrous
- courtly
- ceremonious
- elegant
- refined
Synonyms & Similar Words
- irrelevant
- immaterial
- inappropriate
- extraneous
- irrelative
- meaningless
- inapplicable
- inapposite
- beside the point
- unimportant
- tangential
- useless
- inane
- tangent
- inconsequential
- incidental
- insignificant
- pointless
- peripheral
- neither here nor there
- unsuitable
- moot
- senseless
- inapt
- dead
- empty
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- pertinent
- relevant
- relative
- applicable
- important
- apposite
- germane
- apropos
- pointed
- significant
- material
- meaningful
- appropriate
- useful
- sensible
- suitable
- apt
- fit
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of impertinent are intrusive, meddlesome, obtrusive, and officious. While all these words mean "given to thrusting oneself into the affairs of others," impertinent implies exceeding the bounds of propriety in showing interest or curiosity or in offering advice.
The meanings of intrusive and impertinent largely overlap; however, intrusive implies a tactless or otherwise objectionable thrusting into others' affairs.
In some situations, the words meddlesome and impertinent are roughly equivalent. However, meddlesome stresses an annoying and usually prying interference in others' affairs.
The synonyms obtrusive and impertinent are sometimes interchangeable, but obtrusive stresses improper or offensive conspicuousness of interfering actions.
The words officious and impertinent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, officious implies the offering of services or attentions that are unwelcome or annoying.