French word

insouciant

Pronunciation

IPA/ɛ̃susjɑ̃/

Meaning

  • adjectivecarefree

Example

Elle est insouciante.

She is carefree.

Illustration for insouciant (carefree)

More examples

Il a un sourire insouciant.

He has a carefree smile.

Core concept

A person whose attention is not weighed down by ordinary concerns, moving with easy lightness.

Common phrases

  • être insouciant

    be carefree

  • un air insouciant

    a carefree air

Similar words

nonchalant: Seeming unconcerned and indifferent to what is happening.
décontracté: Relaxed and free from tension or nervousness.
désinvolte: Casual in a way that lacks courtesy or consideration.
serein: Calm and peaceful, with a composed state of mind.

Definition in French

Qui ne manifeste pas ou montre peu d'inquiétude, adoptant une attitude détendue face aux préoccupations.

Word origin

French built insouciant from souci by adding in- and -ant, while souci developed from Latin sollicitus through Old French.

Usage tips

  • The final -ant in masculine insouciant is nasalized rather than pronounced like English '-ant'; feminine insouciante has a pronounced final t.

Other meanings

  • unconcernedadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • insouciancecarefree attitudenoun
  • insouciammentwithout a careadverb

Word lists with this word