impertinence

[ im-pur-tn-uh ns ]
/ ɪmˈpɜr tn əns /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR impertinence ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

unmannerly intrusion or presumption; insolence.
impertinent quality or action.
something impertinent, as an act or statement.
an impertinent person.
irrelevance, inappropriateness, or absurdity.

QUIZZES

CHALLENGE YOURSELF WITH THESE WORDS FROM "LITTLE WOMEN"

"Little Women" may be a classic, but that doesn't mean we all know the meanings of the vocab words from the book. Can you define these words correctly and make Jo proud?
Question 1 of 10
earnest
full seriousness, as of intention or purpose.
a feeling of dread, anxiety, or anguish.
urgent character; imperativeness; insistence; importunateness.
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Origin of impertinence

First recorded in 1595–1605; impertin(ency) + -ence

Words nearby impertinence

impersonalism, impersonality, impersonalize, impersonate, impersonator, impertinence, impertinency, impertinent, imperturbable, imperturbation, impervious
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to impertinence

nerve, impropriety, gall, wisecrack, presumption, crust, lip, hardihood, impudence, assurance, incivility, brazenness, forwardness, disrespect, rudeness, chutzpah, effrontery, guff, sass, cheek

Example sentences from the Web for impertinence

British Dictionary definitions for impertinence

impertinence

impertinency

/ (ɪmˈpɜːtɪnəns) /

noun

disrespectful behaviour or language; rudeness; insolence
an impertinent act, gesture, etc
rare lack of pertinence; irrelevance; inappropriateness
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012