Words / C2

IMP-y-uh-d-uh-nt/ˈɪmpjədənt/

Impudent means rude and disrespectful in a cheeky, shameless way: an impudent remark, impudent towards the chair. Rude (already in the dictionary) is everyday; insolent (already in the dictionary) is insulting towards authority, the close twin, and brazen (already in the dictionary) is shamelessly bold, of nerve more than of cheek. Effrontery (already in the dictionary) is the noun of shameless insolence. Affable (already in the dictionary) is easy and pleasant — the contrast. A joke about cover is not a named post.

Meaning

Rude and disrespectful in a cheeky, shameless way.

Examples

• “An impudent joke about the night cover is not a named warden.”
• “Rude is everyday (already in A2). Insolent is insultingly rude to authority (already in C2). Brazen is shamelessly bold (already in C2). Effrontery is shameless insolence (already in C2). Affable is easy to talk to (already in C2) — the contrast. A sharp, dated objection can still be civil. Cheek that never names the night post is theatre. Write the rota; leave the heckle.”

Good to know

Cheekily disrespectful. Everyday: rude (already in this dictionary). Close: insolent / brazen (already in C2). Noun: effrontery (already in C2). Contrast: affable (already in C2). A joke ≠ a warden.

Near in meaning

insolent, cheeky, brazen, impertinent

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