Insolence Meaning
/ˈɪn.sə.ləns/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounContemptible, ill-mannered conduct; insulting: arrogant, bold behaviour or attitude.
nounInsolent conduct or treatment; insult.
Sentence Examples
His manner partakes of insolence.
I can't put up with his insolence.
I don't have to stand for such insolence on Tom's part.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The student's rude ____ towards the teacher resulted in an immediate detention.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The student was punished by the principal for his ____ and lack of respect towards the older teacher.
Word Origin & History
From Middle French insolence, from Latin īnsolentia.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"all the insolence of imaginary superiority"
— 1815 December (indicated as 1816), [Jane Austen], chapter 14, in Emma: […], volume III, London: […] [Charles Roworth and James Moyes] for John Murray, →OCLC:
"There she was, doing rude things, and saying ruder, which every body bore with the best grace in the world: then, as now, it was perfectly astonishing what people in general will submit to in the way of insolence, provided the said insolence be attended by rank and riches."
— 1837, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], “Chapter XVIII. The Fête.”, in Ethel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. […], volume II, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 133:
"The coarseness and truth of her attack alike overwhelmed him. But her supreme insolence found him words, and he too burst forth. "Yes! and I forbid you to do it! You despise me, perhaps, and think I'm feeble. But you're mistaken. You are ungrateful, impertinent, and contemptible, but I will save you in order to save Irma and our name."
— 1905, E. M. Forster, Where Angels Fear to Tread, chapter 2
"Two heavy iron chains were put about his neck, (in metal and weight different from them he bore before!) and, loaded with fetters and insolences from the soldiers, (who in such ware seldom give scant measure,) he was brought into the presence of Isaacius."
— 1652, Thomas Fuller, The Holy State, and the Profane State, page 442:
"Her great excellence / Lifts me above the measure of my might / That being fild with furious insolence / I feele my selfe like one yrapt in spright."
— 1595, Ed. Spencer [i.e., Edmund Spenser], “Colin Clouts Come Home Againe”, in Colin Clouts Come Home Againe, London: […] T[homas] C[reede] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The student's rude ____ towards the teacher resulted in an immediate detention.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The student was punished by the principal for his ____ and lack of respect towards the older teacher.