French Conversation · Level 113
59 words
French word
pétulant
Pronunciation
IPA/petylɑ̃/
Meaning
- adjectiveimpudent
Example
Il est pétulant.
He is exuberant.
More examples
Elle a répondu avec un sourire pétulant.
She answered with an impudent smile.
Core concept
A breezy air of superiority that sounds insolent but carries little real menace.
Common phrases
sourire pétulant
an impudent smile
commentaire pétulant
an impudent comment
Similar words
insolent: Openly rude in speech or behavior, causing offense.
impertinent: Tactless and unrestrained, with a readiness to make rude remarks.
effronté: Brazenly pushy, confronting others without shame or restraint.
hautain: Haughty and affected, treating others as socially inferior.
Definition in French
Qui, d'un ton léger et hautain, paraît insolent ou impertinent sans grande gravité.
Word origin
The French adjective pétulant continues Latin petulans, which referred to a person who was forward, bold, or impudent.
Usage tips
- Pétulant ends in a nasal vowel, whereas the feminine form pétulante has a pronounced final t.