impertinent

[ im-pur-tn-uhnt ]
See synonyms for: impertinentimpertinently on Thesaurus.com

adjective
  1. intrusive or presumptuous, as persons or their actions; insolently rude; uncivil: a brash, impertinent youth.

  2. not pertinent or relevant; irrelevant: an impertinent detail.

  1. Archaic. inappropriate, incongruous, or absurd.

  2. Obsolete. (of persons) trivial, silly, or absurd.

Origin of impertinent

1
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 for impertinent

Opposites for impertinent

Other words from impertinent

  • im·per·ti·nent·ly, adverb
  • im·per·ti·nent·ness, noun
  • un·im·per·ti·nent, adjective
  • un·im·per·ti·nent·ly, adverb

Words Nearby impertinent

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How to use impertinent in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for impertinent

impertinent

/ (ɪmˈpɜːtɪnənt) /


adjective
  1. rude; insolent; impudent

  2. irrelevant or inappropriate

Origin of impertinent

1
C14: from Latin impertinēns not belonging, from Latin im- (not) + pertinēre to be relevant; see pertain

Derived forms of impertinent

  • impertinently, adverb

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