insouciance

noun

in·sou·ci·ance in-ˈsü-sē-ən(t)s How to pronounce insouciance (audio)

aⁿ-süs-ˈyäⁿs How to pronounce insouciance (audio)

: lighthearted unconcern : nonchalance

insouciant

in-ˈsü-sē-ənt How to pronounce insouciance (audio)

aⁿ-süs-ˈyäⁿ

adjective

insouciantly

in-ˈsü-sē-ənt-lē How to pronounce insouciance (audio)

adverb

Did you know?

Don't worry; be insouciant. Perhaps your mind will rest easier if we explain that English speakers learned insouciance (as well as the adjective insouciant) from the French around the early 1800s. The French word comes from a combination of the negative prefix in- and soucier, meaning "to trouble or disturb." Soucier, in turn, traces to sollicitus, the Latin word for "anxious." If it seems to you that sollicitus looks a lot like some other English words you've seen, you're on to something. That root also gave us solicit (which now means "to entreat" but which was once used to mean "to fill with concern or anxiety"), solicitude (meaning "uneasiness of mind"), and solicitous ("showing or expressing concern").

Example Sentences

wandered into the meeting with complete insouciance to the fact that she was late

Recent Examples on the Web Blending flair and insouciance, the skirts delivered sensory impact—visual and auditory.

Laura Neilson, WSJ, 13 Sep. 2022 Most of these cars are gleaming, and lipstick-red, with the racy insouciance that’s so typical of Italian design.

Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 4 Aug. 2022 The unclipped chinstrap of his off-kilter helmet only added to his air of renegade insouciance.

Luke Mogelson, The New Yorker, 23 July 2022 If that cartoon caption strikes you as an Ariana Grande anachronism, that works as part of the film’s insouciance.

Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 1 July 2022 Her hard-right activism on so many matters that come before the Court, up to and including the condition of our democracy, and his hand-waving insouciance about it all, have done huge damage to the Supreme Court’s reputation.

Michael Tomasky, The New Republic, 28 Mar. 2022 Some of Hollywood’s youngest ingénues were embracing the breezy insouciance of a white shirt, too.

Vogue, 27 Mar. 2022 The result has personality to burn, embracing violence, sexuality and an all-around kind of insouciance that rivals fellow doodler Bill Plympton.

Peter Debruge, Variety, 25 Mar. 2022 Opt for ample volume, black ribbon, and an air of insouciance—or make like Emily and replace said nonchalance with ready enthusiasm.

Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 16 Dec. 2021 See More

单词	insouciance
释义	insouciance noun in·sou·ci·ance in-ˈsü-sē-ən(t)s aⁿ-süs-ˈyäⁿs : lighthearted unconcern : nonchalance insouciant in-ˈsü-sē-ənt aⁿ-süs-ˈyäⁿ adjective insouciantly in-ˈsü-sē-ənt-lē adverb Did you know? Don't worry; be insouciant. Perhaps your mind will rest easier if we explain that English speakers learned insouciance (as well as the adjective insouciant) from the French around the early 1800s. The French word comes from a combination of the negative prefix in- and soucier, meaning "to trouble or disturb." Soucier, in turn, traces to sollicitus, the Latin word for "anxious." If it seems to you that sollicitus looks a lot like some other English words you've seen, you're on to something. That root also gave us solicit (which now means "to entreat" but which was once used to mean "to fill with concern or anxiety"), solicitude (meaning "uneasiness of mind"), and solicitous ("showing or expressing concern"). Synonyms apathy casualness complacence disinterestedness disregard incuriosity incuriousness indifference nonchalance torpor unconcern See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences wandered into the meeting with complete insouciance to the fact that she was late Recent Examples on the Web Blending flair and insouciance, the skirts delivered sensory impact—visual and auditory. Laura Neilson, WSJ, 13 Sep. 2022 Most of these cars are gleaming, and lipstick-red, with the racy insouciance that’s so typical of Italian design. Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 4 Aug. 2022 The unclipped chinstrap of his off-kilter helmet only added to his air of renegade insouciance. Luke Mogelson, The New Yorker, 23 July 2022 If that cartoon caption strikes you as an Ariana Grande anachronism, that works as part of the film’s insouciance. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 1 July 2022 Her hard-right activism on so many matters that come before the Court, up to and including the condition of our democracy, and his hand-waving insouciance about it all, have done huge damage to the Supreme Court’s reputation. Michael Tomasky, The New Republic, 28 Mar. 2022 Some of Hollywood’s youngest ingénues were embracing the breezy insouciance of a white shirt, too. Vogue, 27 Mar. 2022 The result has personality to burn, embracing violence, sexuality and an all-around kind of insouciance that rivals fellow doodler Bill Plympton. Peter Debruge, Variety, 25 Mar. 2022 Opt for ample volume, black ribbon, and an air of insouciance—or make like Emily and replace said nonchalance with ready enthusiasm. Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 16 Dec. 2021 See More Word History Etymology French, from in- + soucier to trouble, disturb, from Old French, from Latin sollicitare — more at solicit First Known Use 1799, in the meaning defined above insouciance noun as in disregard lack of interest or concern wandered into the meeting with complete insouciance to the fact that she was late Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance disregard nonchalance casualness indifference unconcern incuriosity apathy complacence disinterestedness recklessness carelessness torpor tepidness incuriousness tepidity heedlessness unawareness lukewarmness lethargy coldness callousness halfheartedness impassivity stoicism aloofness stolidity impassiveness dispassion detachment bloodlessness insensitivity callosity hardness hard-heartedness phlegm listlessness cool Antonyms & Near Antonyms concern interest attentiveness regard curiosity awareness sensitivity keenness attention conscientiousness prejudice zeal warmth bias partiality vehemence ardor warmheartedness heedfulness desire passion fervency See More
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insouciance

noun

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

noun