impertinent

adjective

im·​per·​ti·​nent (ˌ)im-ˈpər-tə-nənt 

-ˈpərt-nənt

1

a

: given to or characterized by insolent rudeness

an impertinent answer

b

: not restrained within due or proper bounds especially of propriety or good taste

impertinent curiosity

2

: not pertinent : irrelevant

impertinently adverb

Did you know?

English speakers adopted both impertinent and pertinent from Anglo-French in the 14th century. Both words derive from the present participle of the Latin verb pertinēre, meaning "to pertain." Initially, impertinent was used for things that are simply not relevant. Over time, it came to be used of things that are not only irrelevant but rudely or inappropriately so, and later for people who are just straight-out rude.

Synonyms

• arch
• audacious
• bold
• bold-faced
• brash
• brassbound
• brassy
• brazen
• brazen-faced
• cheeky
• cocksure
• cocky
• fresh
• impudent
• insolent
• nervy
• sassy
• saucy
• wise

Choose the Right Synonym for impertinent

impertinent, officious, meddlesome, intrusive, obtrusive mean given to thrusting oneself into the affairs of others.

impertinent implies exceeding the bounds of propriety in showing interest or curiosity or in offering advice.

resented their impertinent interference

officious implies the offering of services or attentions that are unwelcome or annoying.

officious friends made the job harder

meddlesome stresses an annoying and usually prying interference in others' affairs.

a meddlesome landlord

intrusive implies a tactless or otherwise objectionable thrusting into others' affairs.

tried to be helpful without being intrusive

obtrusive stresses improper or offensive conspicuousness of interfering actions.

expressed an obtrusive concern for his safety

Examples of impertinent in a Sentence

She asked a few impertinent questions.

the impertinent child had a smart answer for everything

Recent Examples on the Web

Cocky, opinionated, and flippant, Jimmy might as well be every foreigner’s idea of what those impertinent cowboy Americans are like. —Tim Grierson, Vulture, 14 July 2024

In the late Eighties, Ernst Jorgensen, then an executive at a BMG affiliate in Denmark, raised an impertinent question in an international meeting. —Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2024

There this brilliant but bewildered scientist gets cornered by a plutocrat with impertinent questions. —Alan Scherstuhl, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2024

This should be said with a beatific bridal smile — the sincerity of which Miss Manners hopes your guests will be questioning for the rest of their rude and impertinent lives. —Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 4 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin impertinent-, impertinens, from Latin in- + pertinent-, pertinens, present participle of pertinēre to pertain

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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Kids Definition

impertinent

adjective

im·​per·​ti·​nent (ˈ)im-ˈpərt-ᵊn-ənt 

-ˈpərt-nənt

: insolent, rude

an impertinent reply

impertinently adverb