Word
insolent
Phoneticsin·so·lent, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɪnsəɫənt/
UK/ˈɪnsələnt/
Definition
adj. showing a rude and disrespectful attitude. You use this to describe someone who is being very impolite and thinks they are better than others.
adj. characterised by a disrespectful and arrogant attitude. Often used to describe a person's manner or speech that shows a lack of deference.
Examples
“The waiter was very insolent to the customers.”
“The manager was shocked by the insolent attitude of the new intern during the meeting.”
“The protagonist's journey is defined by his transition from an insolent youth who defies all authority to a mature leader who earns respect through quiet competence.”
Examples
simple
“The waiter was very insolent to the customers.”
contextual
“The manager was shocked by the insolent attitude of the new intern during the meeting.”
complex
“The protagonist's journey is defined by his transition from an insolent youth who defies all authority to a mature leader who earns respect through quiet competence.”
Real-World Examples
“Davis makes Ma a dynamic force, a blowsy figure with smudged makeup and an insolent glare at the world.” Etymology
PIE word *swé From Middle English, from Old French, from Latin īnsolēns (“unaccustomed, unwanted, unusual, immoderate, excessive, arrogant, insolent”), from in- (privative prefix) + solēns, present participle of solēre (“to be accustomed, to be wont”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/insolent