What does impudently mean?
Impudently is an adverb meaning in a shamelessly bold, disrespectful, or presumptuous manner. It commonly describes someone disregarding social conventions, speaking rudely to another person, or showing open contempt for an authority or accepted standard of behaviour. The word has a strongly formal and literary tone and conveys more deliberate impropriety than merely being impolite: an impudent remark may be cheeky or audacious, while an impudent action can amount to defiance. For example, a candidate who impudently refuses to retract a claim challenges both etiquette and political authority. The related adjective is impudent, and the noun is impudence. Although impudently can suggest a lack of shame, its modern usage usually concerns conspicuous disrespect rather than moral impurity.
adverbIn an impudent or disrespectful way, especially with bold disregard for proprieties or authority.
- In a disrespectful, bold, or presumptuous manner, especially toward a person or authority.
"The candidate impudently refused to withdraw the accusation."
"The candidate impudently refused to withdraw the accusation."
"He impudently interrupted the speaker and demanded an immediate answer."
To act impudently is not merely to speak boldly: it is to show contempt for the limits imposed by respect, decorum, or authority.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does impudently come from?
The word was formed in the early 16th century from the Latin adverb impudenter, meaning “shamelessly” or “impudently.” Latin impudens, its source, combined the prefix in- with pudere, “to feel shame,” and gave rise to the English family impudent, impudence, and impudently. The related Latin words pudor, “shame,” and pudens, “modest,” belong to the same root.
Related word forms
How impudently is actually used
Now chiefly formal or literary. It describes conduct or speech marked by brazen disregard for propriety, convention, or authority.