impudence
gb/ɪmpjˈudəns/ us/ɪmpjˈudəns/
C1
English
~ 9000
szemtelenség, arcátlanság
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
1
szemtelenség
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone] has the impudence to [verb]
The student’s impudence toward the teacher shocked the whole class.
A diák tanárral szembeni szemtelensége az egész osztályt megdöbbentette.
He had the impudence to interrupt the judge and call the trial a joke.
Volt olyan szemtelen, hogy félbeszakította a bírót, és bohózatnak nevezte a tárgyalást.
She was fired for her repeated impudence to senior managers.
I will not tolerate such impudence in my own house.
With astonishing impudence, they demanded a refund after breaking the item themselves.
Learner examples
The boy’s impudence made his parents very angry.
A fiú szemtelensége nagyon feldühítette a szüleit.
She showed impudence when she shouted at her boss.
Szemtelen volt, amikor rákiabált a főnökére.
He had the impudence to laugh at the old man.
The teacher was surprised by the child’s impudence.
They were punished for their impudence in class.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'impudence' with 'impatience' or 'imprudence' because they look similar. 'Impudence' means rude lack of respect; 'impatience' means not wanting to wait; 'imprudence' (less common) means not being careful or wise. Some learners also think 'impudence' is positive, like 'confidence', but it always has a negative, disrespectful feeling.
Meaning
rude, disrespectful boldness
Collocations
have the impudence to
|the sheer impudence
|his/her/their impudence
|punished for his impudence
|shocked by the impudence
|such impudence
Synonyms
insolence (Very close in meaning; also formal, and often used for rude behavior toward authority.)
|
cheek (Informal British English; sounds more casual or humorous than 'impudence'.)
|
audacity (Can be negative like 'impudence', but may also sound admiringly brave in some contexts.)
Antonyms
respect (Shows polite behavior and regard for others instead of rude boldness.)
|
deference (Polite, careful respect toward someone in authority, the opposite attitude of impudence.)
Themes
social
|emotions
|communication
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
very rude behavior or words that do not show respect, especially to someone important or older
Bold, rude behavior or speech that shows a lack of respect, especially toward someone in authority or someone who deserves respect.
NOUN
C2
FORMAL
2
arcátlanság
B2
Usage pattern:
the impudence of [someone]/[something]
The sheer impudence of their lies left the audience speechless.
Hazugságaik puszta arcátlanságától a közönség szóhoz sem jutott.
I could hardly believe his impudence in asking for a promotion after such poor work.
Alig tudtam elhinni, mekkora arcátlanság volt tőle, hogy ilyen gyenge munka után előléptetést kért.
With breathtaking impudence, she denied all responsibility despite the clear evidence.
The impudence of the proposal showed how little they cared about public opinion.
Learner examples
The impudence of his behavior shocked his family.
Viselkedésének arcátlansága megdöbbentette a családját.
I was surprised by the impudence of her question.
Meglepett a kérdésének arcátlansága.
With great impudence, he said he had done nothing wrong.
The impudence of their request made everyone angry.
Meaning
shameless lack of embarrassment
Collocations
the sheer impudence of
|breathtaking impudence
|the impudence of the claim
|his impudence in lying
|accuse [someone] of impudence
Synonyms
shamelessness (Focuses on not feeling shame; very close in meaning to this sense of 'impudence'.)
|
brazeness (Similar idea of shocking lack of shame, often with a sense of open, bold behavior.)
Antonyms
modesty (Includes feeling shame or reserve about improper behavior, the opposite attitude of brazen impudence.)
|
remorse (Strong regret and guilt, contrasting with the lack of shame implied by impudence.)
Themes
social
|morality
|emotions
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
a way of thinking or acting that shows no shame or no feeling that your bad behavior is wrong
A shameless or brazen attitude that shows no embarrassment about wrong, improper, or socially unacceptable behavior.
Grammar
Dictionary form
impudence
IPA
GB/ɪmpjˈudəns/
US/ɪmpjˈudəns/
Syllables & stress
im - pudence (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (pudence)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: impudence
- Plural: impudence
Word family
Core family
impudent
adjective C1
impudently
adverb
Expressions
have the impudence to
1/hˈæv ðə ɪmpjˈudəns tə/
fixed phrase
formal
dare rudely to do something
to do something rude or very disrespectful, in a way that surprises or angers other people
Examples
- He had the impudence to tell his boss that the company was badly run.
- They even had the impudence to demand an apology from us.
- She had the impudence to arrive an hour late and then complain about the food.
the sheer impudence of
1/ðə ʃˈɪɹ ɪmpjˈudəns əv/
fixed phrase
formal
extreme, shocking impudence
used to say that someone’s rude or shameless behavior is very strong and surprising
Examples
- We were stunned by the sheer impudence of his remarks.
- The sheer impudence of their demand made the negotiators walk out.