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Synonyms

malapert

American  
[mal-uh-purt] / ˈmæl əˌpɜrt /

adjective

  1. unbecomingly bold or saucy.


noun

  1. a malapert person.

malapert British  
/ ˈmæləˌpɜːt /

adjective

  1. saucy or impudent

"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

noun

  1. a saucy or impudent person

"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

Other Word Forms

  • malapertly adverb
  • malapertness noun

Etymology

Origin of malapert

1375–1425; late Middle English: insolent < Middle French: unskillful. See mal-, pert

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.

That foolish party of light horse," he continued, speaking to one of his attendants, "must have suffered this malapert youth and his fair charge to have passed it.

From Henry of Guise; (Vol. II of 3) or, The States of Blois by James, G. P. R. (George Payne Rainsford)

"That malapert bumpkin will be no friend either to me or to your majesty," he said.

From St George's Cross by Keene, H. G. (Henry George)

"I will say what I will in mine own house, thou evil, malapert boy!" roared the old man.

From The Lost Treasure of Trevlyn A Story of the Days of the Gunpowder Plot by Everett-Green, Evelyn

And tell me this one thing more, fair cousin, if it be not a malapert question.

From The Lost Treasure of Trevlyn A Story of the Days of the Gunpowder Plot by Everett-Green, Evelyn

A child's outcry, more "malapert" than the priest, called the attention of the lingerers, and before any one knew, the passion of destruction had seized like a frenzy upon the people.

From Royal Edinburgh Her Saints, Kings, Prophets and Poets by Reid, George