impertinent

Everyday

1. Rude and not showing proper respect, especially to an older person or someone in charge; cheeky. tree →
2. (formal, old) Not relevant to what is being talked about. tree →

In the lessons

Grown-ups in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland often call Alice impertinent, and she calls the Hatter's remarks impertinent too: «"You shouldn't make personal remarks," Alice said; "it's very rude."» In old school stories teachers punish impertinent pupils. Today we would say «cheeky» or «rude». Phrases: «an impertinent question», «don't be impertinent».

Examples

• «Don't be impertinent!» said the teacher. tree →
• It was impertinent to ask the old lady how old she was. tree →
• The Queen thought Alice was impertinent. tree →
• The impertinent parrot copied everything the captain said. tree →
• Asking how much money someone earns can be an impertinent question. tree →
• The boy gave an impertinent reply and was sent out. tree →
• Behavior that is regarded as agreeable in one is very rude and impertinent in another. tree →

Note

Not the opposite of «pertinent» in everyday use: it mostly means «rude», not «irrelevant». Noun: impertinence. Close words: cheeky, rude, insolent.