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impertinent

[ im-pur-tn-uhnt ]
/ ɪmˈpɜr tn ənt /
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See synonyms for: impertinent / impertinently on Thesaurus.com
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.
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Origin of impertinent

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English from Late Latin impertinent- (stem of impertinēns ) “not belonging.” See im-2, pertinent

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, adverb

Words 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

Words related to impertinent

arrogant, brash, brassy, brazen, contumelious, discourteous, flip, forward, fresh, ill-mannered, impolite, impudent, inappropriate, incongruous, inquisitive, insolent, interfering, intrusive, lippy, meddlesome

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, adverb

Word 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 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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