impertinent
UK/ɪm'pɜːtɪnənt/US/im'pә:tinәnt/
TOEFLC2
Definitions
adj.
Rude and disrespectful, especially to someone senior
无礼的，鲁莽的，放肆的
adj.
Not relevant to the matter at hand (formal)
不相干的，离题的（正式）
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedim-not, opposite of
+
per-through, thoroughly
+
-entperforming, being in a state
=impertinent
im- (not) + pertinent (relevant, 'reaching to the matter') = literally 'not pertinent, not belonging here.' The original sense was 'irrelevant.' But saying something that doesn't belong — butting in where you have no business — came to feel cheeky and rude, so the dominant modern sense shifted to 'impudent, disrespectful.' The 'irrelevant' sense survives only in formal writing.
Root tain still carries 87 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.impertinent remark无礼的言论
- 2.impertinent question冒失的问题
- 3.impertinent behavior放肆的行为
Example Sentences
- 1.
Don't be impertinent with your teacher.
- 2.
She asked an impertinent question about his salary.
- 3.
The judge dismissed the remark as impertinent to the case.