adj

impertinent

ihm-PUR-tih-nuhnt

adj

Rude or disrespectful, especially in a way that oversteps one's place.

"It was impertinent of him to interrupt the CEO."

"She gave an impertinent reply to the interviewer's question."

(formal) Not relevant to the matter at hand.

"The judge ruled the comment impertinent to the case."

How to Use Impertinent

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishCheeky and disrespectful, or, more formally, beside the point.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with "impatient" — impertinent is about rudeness, not a lack of patience.

Common pairings

impertinent question impertinent remark

more impertinent comparative, impertinents plural, most impertinent superlative

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Can you complete this real example?

It was _____ of him to interrupt the CEO.

From Latin impertinens, ultimately im- ("not") + pertinent.

eminent imminent continent pertinent prominent incontinent