Words / C2

INS-uh-l-uh-nt/ˈɪnsələnt/

Insolent means insultingly rude, especially to someone with authority: an insolent tone, insolent disregard. Rude is everyday; impudent is a close twin. Insouciant (already in the dictionary) is casually unconcerned — a lookalike. Do not call a junior insolent for asking where the date went.

Meaning

Rude and disrespectful, especially towards someone in authority.

Examples

• “An insolent aside about the intern is still a conduct issue.”
• “Rude is everyday. Impudent is cheeky-rude. Insouciant is unworried (already in C2). A precise refusal under a protocol is not insolence. A sneer at the person minuting the fire door is.”

Good to know

Insultingly rude. Everyday: rude. Close: impudent. Mix-up: insouciant (unconcerned). A fair question about a date is not insolence.

Near in meaning

rude

New