How to pronounce impertinent
Say it like im-PUR-tih-nunt. Impertinent has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce impertinent. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- im
- PUR
- tih
- nunt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Impertinent pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- imKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- PURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- tihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- nuntKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of impertinent
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: im-PUR-tih-nunt.
What does impertinent mean?
- Insolent, ill-mannered or disrespectful; Disregardful.
- An impertinent individual.
Where does impertinent come from?
Inherited from Middle English impertinent, from Middle French impertinent, from Old French impertinent, from Latin impertinēns; by surface analysis, im- + pertinent.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying impertinent
How do you pronounce impertinent?
Say im-PUR-tih-nunt. The American pronunciation is /ɪmˈpɝtɪnənt/. In British English it is /ɪmˈpɜːtɪnənt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in impertinent?
Impertinent has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PUR). Broken into parts: im · PUR · tih · nunt.
Is impertinent pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ɪmˈpɜːtɪnənt/ (im-PUR-tih-nunt).