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Definition of pertness

pertness

/ˈpɝːt.nəs/
pert · ness
Adverb:pertly
•
Adjective:pert
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pertness Lexical Profile

pertness Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The quality of being boldly forward, cheeky, or saucily impudent in speech or behavior.

Example

"The teacher could barely suppress a smile at the child's cheerful pertness during the lesson."

2

Brisk liveliness, sprightliness, or jaunty attractiveness in manner or appearance.

Example

"With a characteristic pertness in its posture, the wren hopped along the garden fence."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for pertness
Antonyms
View all antonyms for pertness

• Rhymes for pertness

• Nearby Words

pertinence
pertinent
pertinently
pertness
perturb
perturbing
perturbingly

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in Middle English from the adjective pert, an aphetic form of Old French apert ('open, frank, bold'), from Latin apertus ('open'), combined with the native noun-forming suffix -ness.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

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