impertinent

/ɪmˈpɜːtɪnənt/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪmˈpɜːrtnənt/ (ame, ipa) · /(ˌ)im-ˈpər-tə-nənt -ˈpərt-nənt/ (ame, mw)

impertinent — adjective

  • impertinentpositive
  • more impertinentcomparative
  • most impertinentsuperlative

1. speaking or acting with open disrespect toward someone older, senior, or in auth

1.形容詞C2
釋義

speaking or acting with open disrespect toward someone older, senior, or in authority

例句

Roya gave an impertinent reply when the principal asked about the missing books.

impertinent reply

The clerk called Quan impertinent for laughing during the mayor's speech.

call + noun + impertinent

同義詞
  • rude

    the broad everyday word for bad manners

  • impolite

    milder and often less confrontational

  • disrespectful

    focuses on the lack of proper respect

  • insolent

    stronger and suggests bold defiance

反義詞
  • polite

    showing good manners in the usual way

  • respectful

    showing proper regard for another person

  • deferential

    more formal and suggests marked respect to a superior

文法句型

impertinent + noun

be impertinent to + person

用法筆記

Mostly used in formal or old-fashioned criticism of behavior toward someone with authority. It is sharper than 'impolite' and often suggests the speaker thinks a social boundary has been crossed.

常見錯誤

❌The note was impertinent with the teacher.
✅The note was impertinent to the teacher.
💡when you name the person offended, use 'to', not 'with'.

2. not connected to the point being discussed or decided, so it should be left out

2.形容詞C2
釋義

not connected to the point being discussed or decided, so it should be left out

例句

The lawyer asked the jury to ignore an impertinent story about Leo's private life.

ignore an impertinent story

Mira cut out two impertinent details before sending the report to the board.

impertinent details

同義詞
反義詞
  • relevant

    connected to the matter being discussed

  • pertinent

    the direct opposite in formal usage

  • material

    important enough to affect a decision, especially in law

文法句型

impertinent to + topic/case

impertinent + noun

用法筆記

Common in legal or other formal discussion for questions, comments, evidence, and details that do not bear on the issue. In everyday English, most people would simply say 'irrelevant'.

常見錯誤

❌The chart is impertinent with our budget discussion.
✅The chart is impertinent to our budget discussion.
💡use 'to' for the subject it does not relate to.