impudent

[ im-pyuh-duhnt ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characterized by impertinence or effrontery:

   The student was kept late for impudent behavior.

   Synonyms: brazen, fresh, presumptuous, pert, saucy, rude, insulting

   Antonyms: courteous

2. Obsolete. shameless or brazenly immodest.

impudent

/ ˈɪmpjʊdənt /

adjective

1. mischievous, impertinent, or disrespectful
2. an obsolete word for immodest

Derived Forms

• ˈimpudently, adverb
• ˈimpudentness, noun

Other Words From

• impu·dent·ly adverb
• impu·dent·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of impudent¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English from Latin impudent- (stem of impudēns ) “shameless,” equivalent to im- im- ² + pud- (base of pudēre “to feel shame”; pudendum ) + -ent- -ent

Synonym Study

See impertinent.

Related Words

• brazen
• cheeky