US /ˈɪnsələnt/ UK /ˈɪn.sə.lənt/
adj noun Freq #13342

Meanings

  1. 1
    adj

    Insulting in manner or words, particularly in an arrogant or insubordinate manner.

    Near-synonyms: arrogant, bold, cocky; see also Thesaurus:cheeky.

  2. 2
    noun

    A person who is insolent.

    What a way do you put yourself in miss! said the insolent.

  3. 3
    adj

    unrestrained by convention or propriety

  4. 4
    adj

    marked by casual disrespect

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 adj · insulting in manner or... arrogantaudaciousboldbold as brassbold-facedbrassybrazenbrazen-faced
3 adj · unrestrained by convention... audacious
4 adj · marked by casual disrespect flipimpudentsnotty-nosed
Word family
Forms insolently
Derived forms insolentlyinsolentnessoverinsolent
Related forms insolenceinsolency

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”).

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