impudence

American  

[im-pyuh-duhns] / ˈɪm pyə dəns /

Also impudency

noun

1. the quality or state of being impudent; effrontery; insolence.

   Synonyms:

   boldness, lip, face, brazenness, brass, rudeness, impertinence, gall, nerve, pertness, sauce, presumption

   Antonyms:

   courtesy

2. impudent conduct or language.

3. Obsolete. lack of modesty; shamelessness.

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impudence British  

/ ˈɪmpjʊdəns /

noun

1. the quality of being impudent

2. an impudent act or statement

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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.

Example Sentences

Photograph: Jon Super/AP Dignity and Impudence they were, two wise old dogs and the whippersnapper.

From The Guardian • Mar. 29, 2010

Impudence and dignity are attributed to them by some foreign critics.

From Time Magazine Archive

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

"I should think I was," replied young Impudence.

From Mattie:?A Stray (Vol 2 of 3) by Robinson, Frederick William

Larsen looked up with that queer little expression on his face that I had come to recognize as preceding something that disagreed with me, and said: "Impudence by who, Boss?"

From Dawson Black: Retail Merchant by Whitehead, Harold