Impudent
adjective
Definition
1. Rude and not showing respect, especially towards someone older or in a higher position.
2. Shamelessly bold.
2. Shamelessly bold.
Context Alive
The manager asked the intern a simple question, but instead of answering politely, he gave an impudent reply, rolling his eyes and using a sarcastic tone. Everyone in the office exchanged shocked glances at his boldness towards a senior colleague.
Meanings
1 meaning 1 Rude and Disrespectful, Especially Towards Authority (Adjective) Common ▼
This meaning is about being shamelessly rude to someone who deserves respect. Imagine a teenager who gives impudent answers to their parents, talking back with no shame or embarrassment at all. This is being impudent — openly disrespectful without caring about the consequences. You might describe a child as impudent when they argue rudely with teachers, or call someone’s comment impudent if they insult their boss. Or picture a young employee who makes impudent jokes about the company director during a formal meeting. The word suggests boldness that crosses the line into rudeness. ✏️ This is stronger than just “rude” — it describes someone who shows no shame about their disrespect.
Vivid ExampleThe teacher sent the student to the principal’s office after he made an impudent comment about her teaching style, laughing openly while the rest of the class sat in uncomfortable silence.
Examples from the Street
“Don’t be so impudent — apologise to your grandmother right now.”
Don’t be so rude and disrespectful — say sorry to your elderly relative immediately
“He gave me an impudent grin and walked off without paying.”
He flashed me a cheeky, disrespectful smile and left without settling the bill
“That was an impudent thing to say to your boss.”
That was a rude and disrespectful comment to make to the person in charge of you
Common Patterns
an impudent child/boy/girl → a young person who is rude and disrespectful
an impudent young man/woman → a younger person showing disrespect to elders or authority
impudent fellow/creature → old-fashioned way of describing a cheeky, disrespectful person
be impudent → behave in a rude, disrespectful way
don’t be impudent → command to stop being disrespectful
an impudent remark/comment/reply → a rude, disrespectful thing said
an impudent question → a question that is inappropriately bold or disrespectful
an impudent grin/smile/look → a facial expression showing cheeky disrespect
an impudent tone → a way of speaking that shows lack of respect
impudent behaviour/manner → conduct that is rude and disrespectful
downright/thoroughly impudent → completely and obviously disrespectful
rather/somewhat impudent → a bit rude or cheeky
impudent enough to (verb) → rude enough to do something disrespectful
Collocations
2 collocationsimpudent remark
a boldly rude comment
impudent behaviour
showing a lack of respect in a bold way
Example Sentences
12 examples
1
The teacher told the impudent child to wait outside until he was ready to apologise
The instructor sent the rude, disrespectful youngster out of the room until he was prepared to say sorry.
2
Don’t be impudent — you’ll speak to your elders with respect in this house
Don’t be cheeky — you’ll address older family members politely while you’re under this roof.
3
She gave him an impudent grin and refused to move from his seat
She flashed him a cheeky, defiant smile and wouldn’t budge from where he usually sat.
4
His impudent reply earned him a week of detention
His rude, disrespectful answer resulted in seven days of after-school punishment.
5
The journalist asked several impudent questions that made the politician visibly uncomfortable
The reporter posed some boldly disrespectful queries that clearly unsettled the elected official.
6
I found his tone rather impudent for someone speaking to a customer
I thought the way he spoke was somewhat rude and disrespectful considering he was addressing a paying client.
7
She was impudent enough to tell the director his film was boring — to his face
She was cheeky enough to inform the filmmaker directly that his movie was dull.
8
The novel features an impudent young woman who refuses to follow society’s rules
The book centres on a boldly disrespectful girl who won’t conform to what’s expected of her.
9
“You impudent creature!” she shouted, in perfect imitation of a Victorian governess
“You cheeky thing!” she yelled, perfectly copying the style of a nineteenth-century nanny.
10
His impudent behaviour at the dinner party embarrassed his entire family
His rude, disrespectful conduct at the evening meal made all his relatives feel ashamed.
Learner Examples
★
Teachers sometimes mistake confident students who ask challenging questions for impudent ones who are trying to cause trouble
Instructors occasionally confuse self-assured learners who raise difficult queries with cheeky ones who are attempting to create problems.
★
What seems impudent in one culture — like directly disagreeing with a teacher — may be considered normal and healthy in another
What appears rude and disrespectful in one society — such as openly contradicting an instructor — might be viewed as standard and positive elsewhere.
Synonyms & Antonyms
6 items
Synonymsrude
disrespectful
cheeky
informal British
bold
lacking respect
insolent
formal, disrespectful
Antonymsrespectful
showing respect
polite
well-mannered