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Definition of impertinent

impertinent

/ɪmˈpɝː.tə.nənt/
im · per · ti · nent
Adverb:impertinently
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impertinent Lexical Profile

impertinent Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Not showing proper respect; rude, insolent, or intrusive (especially toward someone of higher status or authority).

Example

"The student was sent to the principal's office for making an impertinent remark to the teacher."

2

Not pertinent or relevant to a particular matter; beside the point (chiefly in formal or legal contexts).

Example

"The judge struck the testimony from the record as impertinent to the charges at hand."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

Although etymologically formed as the negative of 'pertinent', in everyday modern usage 'impertinent' almost always means 'rude or insolent' rather than 'irrelevant', except in formal or legal contexts.

• Rhymes for impertinent

• Nearby Words

impersonation
impersonator
impertinence
impertinent
impertinently
imperviousness
impetuous

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed from Old French 'impertinent' and Late Latin 'impertinentem', meaning 'not belonging to' or 'unrelated', from 'in-' (not) and 'pertinere' (to belong or pertain).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Impertinent. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/impertinent
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