If someone talks or behaves in a rather impolite and disrespectful way, you can say that they are being impertinent.
Would it be impertinent to ask where exactly you were?
I don't like strangers who ask impertinent questions.
Synonyms: rude, forward, cheeky [informal], saucy [informal] More Synonyms of impertinent
More Synonyms of impertinent
impertinent in British English
(ɪmˈpɜːtɪnənt)
adjective
1.
rude; insolent; impudent
2.
irrelevant or inappropriate
Derived forms
impertinently (imˈpertinently)
adverb
Word origin
C14: from Latin impertinēns not belonging, from Latin im- (not) + pertinēre to be relevant; see pertain
impertinent in American English
(ɪmˈpɜrtənənt)
adjective
1.
not pertinent; having no connection with a given matter; irrelevant
2.
not showing proper respect or manners; saucy; insolent; impudent
3. Rare
not suitable to the circumstances; inappropriate
SYNONYMY NOTE: impertinent implies a forwardness of speech or action that is disrespectful and oversteps thebounds of propriety or courtesy; , impudent implies a shameless or brazen impertinence; , insolent implies defiant disrespect as displayed in openly insulting and contemptuous speechor behavior; , saucy implies a flippancy and provocative levity toward one to whom respect should be shown
Derived forms
impertinently (imˈpertinently)
adverb
Word origin
OFr < LL impertinens
Examples of 'impertinent' in a sentence
impertinent
It seems impertinent to talk of successors while such a great cricketer is still in harness.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It gave me the chance to march up to people and ask impertinent questions.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
At the very least that sometimes means asking impertinent questions.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Not a civil servant in their houses, asking all sorts of impertinent questions.
The Sun (2010)
You keep asking impertinent questions: do you have a better health plan than the rest of us?
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
It seems impertinent to say it of so great a player, but it remains a work in progress.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
As impertinent questions go,'have you had a facelift?
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
There were complaints about my inability to join in, my tendency to ask impertinent questions, my failure to memorise my times tables.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Driving was impertinent enough to ask how much they cost, and when we couldn't pin down a manufacturer we took soundings from supercar dealers.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It would be rather impertinent for me to come into their lives at the ages they are now and consider myself in that role,' she says.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
In other languages
impertinent
British English: impertinent ADJECTIVE
If someone talks or behaves in a rather impolite and disrespectful way, you can say that they are being impertinent.
Would it be impertinent to ask where exactly you were?
American English: impertinent
Brazilian Portuguese: impertinente
Chinese: 不礼貌的
European Spanish: impertinente
French: impertinent
German: unverschämt
Italian: impertinente
Japanese: でしゃばりの
Korean: 무례한
European Portuguese: impertinente
Latin American Spanish: impertinente
1 (adjective)
Definition
disrespectful or rude
I don't like strangers who ask impertinent questions.
Synonyms
rude
He's rude to her friends.
forward
She is very forward and confident.
cheeky (informal)
They sat making cheeky comments about passers-by.
saucy (informal)
a saucy joke
fresh (informal)
Don't get fresh with me.
bold
Some young people may seem bold and confident, but inside they are very fragile.
flip (informal)
brazen
a brazen dive to win a free-kick
sassy (informal)
pert
pert questions
disrespectful
People shouldn't treat each other in this disrespectful way.
presumptuous
It would be presumptuous of me to give an opinion.
insolent
They can be insolent and difficult to get along with.
impolite
It would be most impolite to refuse a simple invitation to supper.
impudent
Some were well behaved, while others were impudent.
lippy (slang)
discourteous
Staff are often discourteous and sometimes downright rude.
uncivil
The shock of being addressed in such an uncivil tone was too much.
unmannerly
Opposites
mannerly
,
polite
,
respectful
2 (adjective)
Since we already knew this, to tell us again seemed impertinent.
Synonyms
inappropriate
Some clients had been sold inappropriate polices.
irrelevant
irrelevant details
incongruous
She looked incongruous in an army uniform.
inapplicable
This theory is inapplicable to many less developed economies.
Opposites
important
, appropriate,
relevant
,
vital
,
pertinent
,
germane
Additional synonyms
in the sense of bold
Definition
immodest or impudent
Some young people may seem bold and confident, but inside they are very fragile.