Impertinence: meaning, definitions and examples

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impertinence

[ɪmˈpɜːtɪnəns ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

behavior

Lack of respect; rudeness. Disregard for social conventions or propriety.

Synonyms

audacity, disrespect, insolence, rudeness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
impertinence	Used when someone is being rude by overstepping social boundaries or questioning authority without respect. His impertinence in challenging the professor's knowledge shocked everyone in the lecture hall. The employee's impertinence during the meeting was not appreciated by the manager.
rudeness	Refers to behavior that is impolite or shows bad manners; it is usually straightforward and commonly used in everyday situations. His rudeness at the dinner table embarrassed everyone. Ignoring someone when they greet you is an act of rudeness.
insolence	Describes behavior that is openly rude or defiant, usually involving insulting language or demeanor. His insolence towards his boss led to his immediate dismissal. Such insolence! How dare she talk to her elders that way?
disrespect	Used when someone shows a lack of respect towards another person or authority, often straightforward and can be used in both mild and severe situations. The student's disrespect towards his teacher resulted in detention. Talking back to your parents shows a lot of disrespect.
audacity	Describes a bold action that can be either positive or negative, often implying a certain level of courage or bravery; however, it can also be seen as disrespectful. She had the audacity to speak up against the company's unfair policies. I can't believe he had the audacity to ask for a raise after being late so many times.

Examples of usage

Her impertinence towards her boss cost her the promotion.
His impertinence in the meeting offended his colleagues.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

language

Irrelevance or inappropriateness in speech or action.

Synonyms

impropriety, inappropriateness, insensitivity, irrelevance.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
impertinence	Used to describe behavior that is rude or showing a lack of respect, especially towards someone in authority. His impertinence during the meeting upset everyone. She was shocked by the child's impertinence.
irrelevance	Used to describe something that is not related to the current topic or context and therefore unnecessary or out of place. The teacher pointed out the irrelevance of his comment in the discussion. Many of the points mentioned in the meeting were of complete irrelevance to the project's goals.
inappropriateness	Used to describe something that is not suitable or proper in a particular situation. It can apply to actions, words, or attire. His inappropriateness in dressing for the interview did not go unnoticed. The inappropriateness of her comments made everyone uncomfortable.
impropriety	Used to describe behavior that is not correct or appropriate in a social setting. It often refers to actions that go against accepted norms and can be considered unethical or immoral. The senator was accused of financial impropriety. There was a sense of impropriety in her mannerisms at the formal dinner.
insensitivity	Used to describe a lack of consideration for the feelings of others, often causing hurt or offense unintentionally. His insensitivity to her struggles was surprising. The insensitivity shown by the manager hurt many employees.

Examples of usage

The impertinence of his comments derailed the conversation.
Her impertinence in bringing up personal matters during the negotiation was unprofessional.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'impertinens', meaning 'not belonging to' or 'not relating to', which conveys a sense of irrelevance.
It evolved in the late 15th century, originally used to describe actions considered irrelevant or inappropriate.
Over time, the term started to attach a connotation of rudeness or insolence, especially within social or formal contexts.

Cultural Perspectives

In Victorian society, showing impertinence was seen as a mark of bad breeding and often led to social ostracism.
Many literary works, like those of Jane Austen, depict impertinent characters to highlight social faux pas and moral lessons.
Contemporary culture often celebrates 'being real' or 'speaking your mind', which can sometimes blur the lines between candidness and impertinence.

Psychology

Research suggests that displaying impertinence can be a defense mechanism, stemming from insecurity or a need for control.
People often perceive rudeness or impertinence differently based on their cultural backgrounds, with some cultures valuing directness over politeness.
Emotional intelligence training emphasizes the importance of timing and context in conversations to avoid coming off as impertinent.

Literature

In Shakespeare's plays, characters who are impertinent often serve as comedic relief or as a contrast to more noble characters, exemplifying folly.
Classic novels often use impertinent characters to challenge social norms, making readers reflect on propriety and manners.
Virginia Woolf's writings sometimes feature impertinence as a means for characters to critique their societal constraints.

Pop Culture

In television shows, characters who display impertinence usually serve as comedic figures, often creating tension with more serious characters.
Popular stand-up comedians frequently use impertinent humor to critique social issues, wittily challenging societal norms.
Many viral memes and social media trends thrive on impertinent remarks, reflecting a cultural shift towards irreverence and humor in everyday interactions.

Translations

Translations of the word "impertinence" in other languages:

🇵🇹 impertinência

🇮🇳 ढिठाई

🇩🇪 Unverschämtheit

🇮🇩 ketidaksopanan

🇺🇦 нахабність

🇵🇱 bezczelność

🇯🇵 無礼

🇫🇷 impertinence

🇪🇸 impertinencia

🇹🇷 küstahlık

🇰🇷 무례함

🇸🇦 وقاحة

🇨🇿 drzost

🇸🇰 drzosť

🇨🇳 无礼

🇸🇮 nespametnost

🇮🇸 ósvífni

🇰🇿 дөрекілік

🇬🇪 უგუნურობა

🇦🇿 ədəbsizlik

🇲🇽 impertinencia

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,559, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

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22557 fasted
22558 troposphere
22559 impertinence
22560 unveiling
22561 coexisting
22562 potting
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