Basic Details
Word: Impertinent
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Rude and lacking respect, especially towards an older person or someone in charge.
Synonyms: rude, cheeky, insolent, impudent
Antonyms: respectful, polite, courteous
How to Spell Impertinent
Syllables: im - per - ti - nent
Tricky part: The second syllable is per, not pur, and the word ends in ent, not ant. Saying it slowly, im-per-ti-nent, helps.
Watch out for: impertinant, impurtinent, impertenent
Memory tip: Look for the tin hiding in the middle: im-per-TIN-ent. Picture a cheeky boy banging a tin can while the teacher talks.
Usage Examples
Example 1: It was impertinent of him to ask the guest how much she earned.
Example 2: Grandma does not mind questions, but she will not put up with impertinent ones.
Example 3: The prince found the jester's jokes impertinent and left the hall.
Fun Fact
Impertinent first meant not relevant, the opposite of pertinent. The sense of rude came later, from the idea of poking into matters that were none of your business.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the word closest in meaning to impertinent as used in the sentence:
The guest was annoyed when the waiter gave an impertinent reply about the late order.
a) polite
b) insolent
c) timid
d) relevant
Show answer
b) insolent. An impertinent reply is a rude, disrespectful one, which is exactly what insolent means; polite is its opposite.
Word Cookie
Find the misspelt word in the sentence:
The headmaster warned that any student who gave an impertinant answer to the visiting inspectors would lose the privilege of joining the excursion.
a) inspectors
b) impertinant
c) excursion
d) privilege
Show answer
b) impertinant. Like patient and pertinent, this word finishes with ent.
Spell-o-Spell
Only one word in the list is spelt correctly. Choose the meaning of that word.
1. obnoxous 2. humbel 3. arrogent 4. impertinent
a) rude and lacking respect for someone older or in charge
b) behaving as if you are more important than others
c) not proud; not thinking you are better than others
d) extremely unpleasant and annoying
Show answer
a) rude and lacking respect for someone older or in charge. Impertinent is correct; the others should read arrogant, obnoxious and humble.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which of these remarks is impertinent?
a) A pupil wishing the principal a good morning
b) A pupil thanking the bus driver for the ride
c) A pupil asking politely for one more day
d) A pupil telling the teacher to mind her own business
Show answer
d) A pupil telling the teacher to mind her own business
2. Impertinent and ____ are opposites.
a) bold
b) respectful
c) cheeky
d) rude
Show answer
b) respectful
