impudence
Americannoun
-
the quality or state of being impudent; effrontery; insolence.
- Synonyms:
- boldness, lip, face, brazenness, brass, rudeness, impertinence, gall, nerve, pertness, sauce, presumption
- Antonyms:
- courtesy
-
impudent conduct or language.
-
Obsolete. lack of modesty; shamelessness.
noun
-
the quality of being impudent
-
an impudent act or statement
Etymology
Origin of impudence
1350–1400; Middle English < Latin impudentia shamelessness. See impudent, -ence
Explanation
When you show impudence, you lack shame about your rude behavior. Examples of impudence? Not tipping the waiter, sticking your tongue out, tripping your grandmother — you get the picture. The noun impudence is derived from the Latin impudentia, "shamelessness." Being rude is a main trait of impudence; another is doing something you're not supposed to do — usually with an attitude that shows you don't care. When you are acting with impudence, you are usually overstepping your boundaries — like a kid who challenges his parents and can't accept "Because I said so!" as a reason for discipline.
Vocabulary lists containing impudence
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Fever 1793
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Lightning Thief
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Photograph: Jon Super/AP Dignity and Impudence they were, two wise old dogs and the whippersnapper.
From The Guardian • Mar. 29, 2010
His Dignity and Impudence is a coyly saccharine affair showing a drooping bloodhound trying to be oblivious to a cocky terrier sharing his kennel.
From Time Magazine Archive
Impudence and dignity are attributed to them by some foreign critics.
From Time Magazine Archive
Alas! it was not the act of the people; but the absolute will of Imbecility, Ignorance, and Impudence, which we shall have further occasion to illustrate.
From Secret History of the Court of England, from the Accession of George the Third to the Death of George the Fourth, Volume I (of 2) Including, Among Other Important Matters, Full Particulars of the Mysterious Death of the Princess Charlotte by Hamilton, Lady Anne
You stood fair for him, and the World, however, it may censure his Impudence, at least it cannot but commend his Choice.
From The Notorious Impostor and Diego Redivivus by Settle, Elkanah
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
