impudent

comparative more impudent · comparative proscribed impudenter · superlative most impudent · proscribed superlative impudentest

1. Not showing due respect; bold-faced, impertinent.

   The impudent children would not stop talking in class.

   3 more examples

   Sir Iohn, ſir Iohn, I am well acquainted with your maner of wrenching the true cauſe,the falſe way. It is not a confident brow, nor the throng of wordes, that come with ſuch (more then impudent) ſawcines from you, can thruſt me from a leuell conſideration, […]

   c. 1597 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The First Part of Henry the Fourth, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene i], page 79, column 2

   “Wickam,” retorted Mrs. Pipchin, coloring, “is a wicked, impudent, bold-faced hussy.”

   1846 October 1 – 1848 April 1, Charles Dickens, “Paul’s Further Progress, Growth, and Character”, in Dombey and Son, London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1848, →OCLC, page 75

   And another asked me if I had come to get a Canadian sweetheart; and a third, one of the impudentest, most conceitedest fellows I ever did set eyes upon, nudged me, so that I spilled my coffee all over my second-best damask-silk apron—the one with bugle fringe, you know, Miss Capel—and says he, 'Is it a case of Barkis is willin'?'

   1877, Emma Jane Worboise, “The New Evangeline”, in The Grey House at Endlestone, London: James Clarke and Co., […]; Hodder and Stoughton, […], →OCLC, page 480

   Synonyms: bold, brazen-faced, insolent, audacious, bold, get wise, bold-faced, bold as brass

2. obsoleteLacking modesty or shame; indelicate.

   Wine and women will make men of vnderstanding to fall away, and he that cleaueth to harlots will become impudent.

   1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Ecclesiasticus 19:2

   2 more examples

   Dian. Good my Lord, Aske him vpon his oath, if hee do’s thinke He had not my virginity. Kin. What ſaift thou to her? Ber. She’s impudent my Lord, And was a common gameſter to the Campe. Dia. He do’s me wrong my Lord: If I were ſo, He might haue bought me at a common price.

   c. 1604–1605 (date written), William Shakespeare, “All’s Well, that Ends Well”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene iii], page 252, column 2

   So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face, said vnto him, I haue peace offerings with me: this day haue I paid my vowes. Therefore came I forth to meete thee, diligently to seeke thy face, and I haue found thee.

   1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Proverbs 7:13–15