insouciance
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of insouciance
From French, dating back to 1790–1800; see origin at insouciant, -ance
Explanation
Insouciance is a feeling of careless indifference. There's a certain amount of lightheartedness in insouciance, but rather than merely being cheerful, someone with insouciance truly couldn't care less. Insouciance has roots in the French in, meaning "not," and se soucier, meaning "to care," giving the English word its "uncaring" meaning. Insouciance can be a positive state — like the childlike insouciance you feel when you are watching cartoons instead of paying your bills. However, insouciance is not always so sunny. Young voters are often accused of treating the right to vote with insouciance, meaning they just can't be bothered.
Vocabulary lists containing insouciance
Word Warriors: Four Years of Words Worth Reviving
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Big Science
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Jungle
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
And he has done so with a light-fingered insouciance that makes every scene incandescent with funny contemporary allusions.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 19, 2026
The Australian, who was ranked 13th in the world at his peak, played with an air of insouciance throughout.
From BBC ● Dec. 28, 2025
Oliver’s pointed insouciance concerning the jokey charity threat is about as predictable as Jean Smart’s repeat win in the best comedy actress race and the massive haul for “The Studio.”
From Salon ● Sep. 15, 2025
Seberg’s haircut in the original film, a super-short, blond pixie cut, rewrote fashion trends around the world and encapsulated a spirit of youthful, diffident insouciance.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2025
The staffs insouciance may have reflected the infrequency of acute injuries.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
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.
