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Impertinent Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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impertinent

[ษชmหˆpษœหtษชnษ™nt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

inappropriate behavior

not showing proper respect; rude or disrespectful

Synonyms

cheeky, disrespectful, insolent, saucy.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
impertinent

Use when someone behaves inappropriately bold or rude, especially in a situation that requires formality or respect.

  • The impertinent student interrupted the teacher during the lecture.
  • Her impertinent comments at the meeting were not well received.
disrespectful

Applied in serious situations where someone's behavior shows a lack of respect towards another person or authority.

  • His disrespectful behavior towards the elderly is unacceptable.
  • She found his comments about her work highly disrespectful.
cheeky

Best for informal and playful situations where someone is slightly rude in a charming or amusing way.

  • He's got a cheeky grin that makes it hard to stay mad at him.
  • Her cheeky remark made everyone laugh.
insolent

Used for situations where someone is openly and defiantly rude, often towards someone in a position of authority.

  • The insolent reply shocked the principal.
  • Her insolent attitude got her into trouble with her boss.
saucy

Typically used in a playful or flirtatious manner, often implying a mix of boldness and charm. It can also have a slightly old-fashioned tone.

  • She gave him a saucy wink as she walked by.
  • His saucy comment made her blush.

Examples of usage

  • She was fired for her impertinent comments during the meeting.
  • His impertinent attitude towards his boss got him into trouble.
Context #2 | Adjective

irrelevant

not relevant or pertinent

Synonyms

inconsequential, irrelevant, unrelated.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
impertinent

When discussing someone's rude or disrespectful behavior, especially inappropriately bold actions or comments.

  • The student's impertinent question irritated the teacher.
  • Her reply was impertinent and out of line.
irrelevant

Used when something does not have any importance or connection to the matter at hand.

  • The judge dismissed his statement as irrelevant to the case.
  • Her comment was irrelevant to the topic we were discussing.
inconsequential

When indicating that something is not significant or important, often used to diminish the importance of a detail or fact.

  • The typo in the report is inconsequential to the overall findings.
  • His objections were inconsequential and did not affect the decision.
unrelated

Used to describe things that have no connection or relationship with each other.

  • The two incidents are completely unrelated.
  • This discussion is unrelated to our main agenda.

Examples of usage

  • Her impertinent questions had nothing to do with the topic of discussion.
  • The witness's impertinent testimony was disregarded by the court.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'impertinent'

The word 'impertinent' originated from the Latin word 'impertinens', which means 'not belonging'. It entered the English language in the late 14th century with the meaning 'inappropriate or unsuitable'. Over time, it evolved to also signify 'irrelevant' or 'intrusive'. The use of 'impertinent' has been prevalent in literature and formal speech, often denoting a lack of respect or relevance.

See also: pertinence, pertinency, pertinent.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,616, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.