insolent
gb/ˈɪnsələnt/ us/ˈɪnsələnt/
C1
English
~ 6800
Senses
0 senses
adjective
formal
C1
property
1
rude and openly disrespectful
Rude in a bold way that shows no respect, especially to someone like a teacher, boss, or parent.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is insolent (to [someone])
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.
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.)
Collocations
insolent child
|insolent tone
|insolent behavior
|insolent question
|insolent reply
|insolent smile
Themes
social
|emotions
|communication
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The student’s insolent remark shocked the entire class.
- She was fired for her insolent attitude toward her manager.
- 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.
- Do not be insolent when you speak to your parents.
- 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.
Noun
literary
C2
entity
2
person who is insolent
A person who is very rude and shows no respect.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is 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.)
Collocations
young insolent
|arrogant insolent
|call him an insolent
|treat him as an insolent
Themes
social
|relationships
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He dismissed the boy as an insolent who needed to be taught a lesson.
- The teacher refused to let that insolent remain in the classroom.
- They treated him as an insolent rather than as a serious critic.
Learner examples
- The king called the servant an insolent.
- He was known as an insolent in the village.
- No one wanted to work with that insolent.
- The coach said, "I will not train an insolent."
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.