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
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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.
Let’s hope his insouciance isn’t as contagious as the virus.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 22, 2026
Allen says some of the details have been exaggerated, but her pain is tangible amongst the artful pop beats and faux insouciance.
From BBC ● Dec. 20, 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
“Brimming with a sloppy insouciance, their debut album often is cited as one of the building blocks of the late ‘70s punk movement,” The Times wrote in an early review.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 1, 2025
Rishi wondered if he practiced that maddening insouciance in the mirror or if it came naturally.
From "When Dimple Met Rishi" by Sandhya Menon
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.
