impertinence
Americannoun
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unmannerly intrusion or presumption; insolence.
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impertinent quality or action.
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something impertinent, as an act or statement.
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an impertinent person.
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irrelevance, inappropriateness, or absurdity.
noun
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disrespectful behaviour or language; rudeness; insolence
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an impertinent act, gesture, etc
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rare lack of pertinence; irrelevance; inappropriateness
Etymology
Origin of impertinence
First recorded in 1595–1605; impertin(ency) + -ence
Explanation
You have to be sure your teacher has a good sense of humor before you criticize the way he dresses, otherwise you might be scolded for your impertinence. Impertinence means "being rude, insolent, or inappropriately playful." Impertinence seems like a word that was invented for adults to use when they're complaining about rude or disrespectful kids. Sometimes you might think you're being funny or playful, but what you're saying can come across as impertinence to someone who expects to be treated with respect. The Latin root is impertinentem, or "not belonging." When someone shows impertinence, they act in a way that doesn't belong, or fit the situation.
Vocabulary lists containing impertinence
To Kill a Mockingbird
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Grade 11, List 4
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"The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
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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.
Impertinence, hauteur, sudden repentance, happiness, rebellion and fatigue supplant each other with lightning speed on her mobile, adolescent face.
From Time Magazine Archive
Impertinence to a teacher was almost a reformatory offense in Brooklyn.
From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith
Against the charge of unwarranted impertinence to the midshipman in charge of the floor Dave wrote the words: "Impertinence admitted, but in my opinion entirely warranted."
From Dave Darrin's Fourth Year at Annapolis by Hancock, H. Irving (Harrie Irving)
Leading up to "Pinney's Ave.," there was a short length of communication-trench very appropriately called "Impertinence Sap," for it was merely a ditch, three feet deep, floored with "duck boards."
From "Over There" with the Australians by Knyvett, R. Hugh (Reginald Hugh)
Does she plague us with her Pride and Impertinence?
From Benjamin Franklin Representative selections, with introduction, bibliograpy, and notes by Jorgenson, Chester E.
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.
