insolent
gb/ˈɪnsələnt/ us/ˈɪnsələnt/
C1
English
~ 6800
szemtelen, pimasz, szemtelen alak
C1
FORMAL
1
Usage pattern:
[someone] is insolent (to [someone])
The student’s insolent remark shocked the entire class.
A diák szemtelen megjegyzése megdöbbentette az egész osztályt.
She was fired for her insolent attitude toward her manager.
Elbocsátották a főnökével szembeni szemtelen viselkedése miatt.
He gave the officer an insolent smile and refused to answer any questions.
Such an insolent tone will not be tolerated in this courtroom.
The child’s insolent behavior embarrassed his parents at the restaurant.
Learner examples
The boy was insolent to his teacher.
A fiú szemtelen volt a tanárával.
Do not be insolent when you speak to your parents.
Ne légy szemtelen, amikor a szüleiddel beszélsz.
Her insolent tone made her boss very angry.
He gave an insolent answer and walked away.
The coach warned the team not to be insolent to the referee.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "insolent" with "insolvent." "Insolent" means rude and disrespectful. "Insolvent" is a financial word and means not having enough money to pay debts.
Meaning
rude and openly disrespectful
Collocations
insolent child
|insolent tone
|insolent behavior
|insolent question
|insolent reply
|insolent smile
Synonyms
rude (More general and common; does not always suggest open challenge to authority.)
|
disrespectful (Focuses on lack of respect; slightly less strong and formal than "insolent.")
|
impudent (Very close in meaning; sounds formal or literary and often suggests shameless boldness.)
|
cheeky (Informal, often used for slightly funny or playful rudeness, especially about children.)
Antonyms
respectful (Shows the polite attitude and behavior that "insolent" lacks.)
|
polite (Emphasizes good manners and careful language instead of rude challenge.)
Themes
social
|emotions
|communication
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Rude in a bold way that shows no respect, especially to someone like a teacher, boss, or parent.
Behaving or speaking in a boldly rude and disrespectful way, especially toward someone who would normally be treated with respect or obedience.
NOUN
C2
LITERARY
2
szemtelen
C1
Usage pattern:
[someone] is an insolent
He dismissed the boy as an insolent who needed to be taught a lesson.
A fiút egyszerűen szemtelen alaknak nevezte, akit meg kell leckéztetni.
The teacher refused to let that insolent remain in the classroom.
A tanár nem volt hajlandó megengedni, hogy az a szemtelen alak a tanteremben maradjon.
They treated him as an insolent rather than as a serious critic.
Learner examples
The king called the servant an insolent.
A király szemtelen alaknak nevezte a szolgát.
He was known as an insolent in the village.
A faluban szemtelen alakként ismerték.
No one wanted to work with that insolent.
The coach said, "I will not train an insolent."
Meaning
person who is insolent
Collocations
young insolent
|arrogant insolent
|call him an insolent
|treat him as an insolent
Synonyms
impudent person (Very close meaning; slightly more common as a descriptive phrase than "an insolent.")
|
upstart (Suggests a rude, presumptuous person of lower status acting above their position.)
Antonyms
respectful person (Highlights the polite behavior that contrasts with an insolent person.)
Themes
social
|relationships
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A person who is very rude and shows no respect.
A person who behaves in a boldly rude and disrespectful way.
Grammar
Dictionary form
insolent
IPA
GB/ˈɪnsələnt/
US/ˈɪnsələnt/
Syllables & stress
in - solent (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (in)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: insolent
Word family
Core family
insolence
noun C1
insolently
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
polite
adjective A2
respectful
adjective B1
Advanced or less common
impertinent
adjective C1
impertinence
noun
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.