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impertinent
[ im-pur-tn-uhnt ]
/ ɪmˈpɜr tn ənt /
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adjective
intrusive or presumptuous, as persons or their actions; insolently rude; uncivil: a brash, impertinent youth.
not pertinent or relevant; irrelevant: an impertinent detail.
Archaic. inappropriate, incongruous, or absurd.
Obsolete. (of persons) trivial, silly, or absurd.
OTHER WORDS FOR impertinent
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Origin of impertinent
synonym study for impertinent
1. Impertinent, impudent, insolent refer to bold, rude, and arrogant behavior. Impertinent, from its primary meaning of not pertinent and hence inappropriate or out of place, has come to imply often an unseemly intrusion into what does not concern one, or a presumptuous rudeness toward one entitled to deference or respect: an impertinent interruption, question, manner toward a teacher. Impudent suggests a bold and shameless impertinence: an impudent speech, young rascal. Insolent suggests insulting or arrogantly contemptuous behavior: unbearably insolent toward those in authority.
OTHER WORDS FROM impertinent
im·per·ti·nent·ly, adverbim·per·ti·nent·ness, nounun·im·per·ti·nent, adjectiveun·im·per·ti·nent·ly, adverbWords nearby impertinent
impersonate, impersonation, impersonator, impertinence, impertinency, impertinent, imperturbable, imperturbation, impervious, impetigo, impetrate
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use impertinent in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for impertinent
impertinent
/ (ɪmˈpɜːtɪnənt) /
adjective
rude; insolent; impudent
irrelevant or inappropriate
Derived forms of impertinent
impertinently, adverbWord Origin for impertinent
C14: from Latin impertinēns not belonging, from Latin im- (not) + pertinēre to be relevant; see pertain
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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