What does impertinence mean?
Impertinence means rude, insolent, or inappropriately intrusive behavior, particularly speech that shows a disregard for another person or for proper social boundaries. It can also refer, more formally and less commonly, to a lack of relevance or pertinence. The noun is often used to characterize conduct rather than to identify a single offending action: someone may apologize for their impertinence or be dismissed because of it. Although still understood in British and American English, it has a somewhat formal and traditional tone, and the more everyday words insolence and impudence are often used instead. Impertinence is especially appropriate when behavior is not merely incorrect or impolite but intrusive, impertinent, or offensive. The word is therefore useful for discussing boundaries, social decorum, and the degree to which speech or conduct disregards the expectations of others.
nounImpertinence is rude, insolent behavior, especially speech or conduct that intrudes on another person's dignity. Less commonly, it refers to irrelevance or lack of pertinence.
- Rudeness or insolence, especially behavior or speech that is inappropriate and intrusive.
- An instance of rude or inappropriate behavior.
- Lack of relevance or pertinence.
"The courtier's impertinence earned him a sharp rebuke."
"The professor dismissed the student's impertinence with a curt wave of his hand."
"The guide changed the subject when a question of obvious impertinence interrupted the tour."
The plural is standard but uncommon, since impertinence is usually treated as an uncountable noun.
"The young official's repeated impertinences finally exhausted the ambassador's patience."
Impertinence began as a complaint about relevance: its Latin name literally meant “not pertaining to” the matter at hand.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does impertinence come from?
Impertinence comes from Latin impertinentia, formed from impertinens, the present participle of impertinere. The verb combined the prefix in- meaning “not” with pertinere, “to pertain or relate to,” so its literal sense was “not to pertain to,” or “to be irrelevant.” English borrowed the word in the early modern period, initially chiefly in the sense of irrelevance or lack of fitness, while the modern sense involving rude intrusion developed through the idea of speech or conduct that was not proper or pertinent.
Related word forms
How impertinence is actually used
Traditionally a formal word, impertinence can sound distinctly old-fashioned or severe. In modern English, insolence and impudence are often preferred for a specific act of rudeness, while impertinence is frequently used as an uncountable noun for this behavior in general. The plural is possible but uncommon.
Easily confused with impertinence
Impertinence is the noun naming rude or inappropriate behavior, while impertinent is the adjective describing such behavior or a question that is irrelevant or intrusive.