impudence

UK: /ˈɪmpjʊdəns/ US: (im′pyə dəns)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

im•pu•dence  (im′pyə dəns), n. 

1. the quality or state of being impudent;
   effrontery;
   insolence.
2. impudent conduct or language.
3. [Obs.] lack of modesty;
   shamelessness.

Also, im′pu•den•cy. 

• Latin impudentia shamelessness. See impudent, -ence
• Middle English 1350–1400

Synonyms

• 1. impertinence, rudeness; brass, brazenness, face, lip, boldness, presumption, sauce, pertness; nerve, gall.

Antonyms

• 1. courtesy.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

impudence / ˈɪmpjʊdəns/, impudency noun

1. the quality of being impudent
2. an impudent act or statement

Etymology: 14th Century: from Latin impudēns shameless, from im- (not) + pudēns modest; see pudency

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

im•pu•dent /ˈɪmpyədənt/   adj. 

1. rude;
   very disrespectful:
   an impudent child.

im•pu•dence, n. 

[uncountable] sent to the principal's office for impudence.

im•pu•dent•ly, adv. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

im•pu•dent  (im′pyə dənt), adj. 

1. of, pertaining to, or characterized by impertinence or effrontery:
   The student was kept late for impudent behavior.
2. [Obs.] shameless or brazenly immodest.

• Latin impudent- (stem of impudēns) shameless, equivalent. to im- im-² + pud- (base of pudēre to feel shame; compare pudendum) + -ent- -ent
• Middle English 1350–1400

im′pu•dent•ly, adv. 
im′pu•dent•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. insulting, rude; saucy, pert; presumptuous, fresh, brazen. See impertinent. 

Antonyms

• 1. courteous.