Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

impertinence

/ɪmˈpɝ.tɪ.nəns/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: 2.25 in modern English

Syllables: im-per-ti-nence
IPA: /ɪmˈpɝ.tɪ.nəns/

18

Scrabble Score

12

Letters

4

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

Lack of pertinence; irrelevance.

Uncountable

noun

An instance of this; a moment of being impertinent.

Countable

noun

The fact or character of being out of place; inappropriateness.

Uncountable

noun

Insolence; impudence.

Countable; Uncountable

Example Sentences

""Enough, sir! " he thundered with barely restrained fury. "Enough, I say! Once and for all I must endeavour to rid myself of you and your impertinence."
""Because," interrupted the actress, "I see things exactly as they are. I calculate my effects, but they do not deceive myself; you, on the contrary, live in a world of illusions, where every thing is called by such an exceedingly fine name, that it seems a downright impertinence to ascertain what it really is.""
"The musical has always had a lightness of touch, an impertinence that resembles gay humor."

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French impertinence, from impertinent (“impertinent”); by surface analysis, im- + pertinent.

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ɪmˈpɝ.tɪ.nəns/
British English: /ɪmˈpɜː.tɪ.nəns/

Usage

Inflected Forms

impertinences (plural)

Synonyms

perkiness pertness sauciness archness crust gall impudence insolence cheekiness freshness

Questions

How do you pronounce impertinence?: The recorded pronunciation is /ɪmˈpɝ.tɪ.nəns/.
What does impertinence mean?: Lack of pertinence; irrelevance.
Where does impertinence come from?: Borrowed from Middle French impertinence, from impertinent (“impertinent”); by surface analysis, im- + pertinent.

How to pronounce impertinence

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