impertinent
pronunciation
How to pronounce impertinent in British English:
UK [ɪmˈpɜːtɪnənt]
How to pronounce impertinent in American English:
US [ɪmˈpɜːrtnənt]
-
- Adjective:
- characterized by a lightly pert and exuberant quality
- not pertinent to the matter under consideration
- improperly forward or bold
Word Origin
- impertinent (adj.)
- late 14c., "unconnected, unrelated, not to the point," from Old French impertinent (14c.) or directly from Late Latin impertinentem (nominative impertinens) "not belonging," literally "not to the point," from assimilated form of Latin in- "not, opposite of" (see in- (1)) + pertinens (see pertinent). Sense of "rudely bold" is 1680s, from earlier sense of "not appropriate to the situation," probably modeled on similar use in French, especially by Molière, from notion of meddling with what is beyond one's proper sphere.
Antonym
Example
- 1. America is not the only giant to suffer from an impertinent ratings agency .
- 2. The young grow restless and impertinent .
- 3. We will not stand for impertinent behavior .
- 4. The impertinent boy put his tongue out at me .
- 5. Judged by the standards set by previous japanese first ladies , it borders on the impertinent .