Imperious
/ɪmˈpɪriəs/
adjectiveC1
Definition
Imperious means acting like a ruler who expects others to obey immediately and without question. It often describes someone who is proud, controlling, and uses their power in a strict or overbearing way. People who are imperious do not like to be challenged.
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See It in Action
Showing a proud and commanding attitude
- •The imperious teacher expected all students to follow her rules without question.
- •His imperious tone made everyone feel uncomfortable in the meeting.
- •She gave an imperious order that no one dared to refuse.
Acting as if having the right to control others
- •The manager’s imperious manner made the employees nervous.
- •He spoke imperiously, as if he owned the company.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "imperious" like "bossy" (A1 word), but much stronger and more serious—like a king giving orders, not a child telling friends what to do.
- ✓Picture a queen sitting on a throne, speaking loudly and expecting everyone to listen right away.
- ✓It’s the feeling when someone talks to you like they are your boss, even if they are not.
- ✓Sounds like "IM-peer-ee-us" → Imagine a powerful emperor (sounds like "imperious") giving commands to soldiers.
- ✓Remember characters like a strict principal or a proud ruler in stories who never listens to others.
- ✓NOT like "kind" (friendly and gentle) but "imperious" is strict and commanding.
- ✓NOT like "quiet" (soft and calm) but "imperious" is loud and demanding.
- ✓NOT like "friendly bossy" but "imperious" is serious and expects full control.
Try Other Words
- •Authoritative: showing power and control (Use when the control is respected, not just proud or rude)
- •Domineering: trying to control others in a forceful way (Use when the person is more aggressive and unfair)
- •Overbearing: unpleasantly controlling (Use when the attitude feels too strong and rude)
Unboxing
- •Prefix: "im-" (in, on, towards) + root "perious" related to "imperium" meaning power or command
- •Etymology: From Latin "imperiosus," meaning commanding, full of power
- •Historical development: Originally used to describe rulers or people with power and authority
- •Modern usage: Used to describe someone who acts very bossy, proud, or controlling in everyday situations or literature
Reflect & Connect
•How might an imperious attitude affect relationships at work or school?
•Can someone be imperious without being a leader? How does this change the meaning?
Fill in the blanks
1.The manager spoke in an imperious tone because he wanted his employees to ___ his decisions without question.
2.When she acted imperiously, people felt ___ and did not want to disagree.
3.Unlike a friendly leader, an imperious person expects ___ from others.
4.The teacher’s imperious orders made the classroom feel ___ and strict.
5.He behaved imperiously, as if he had ___ over everyone in the room.
6.People often avoid imperious individuals because they seem too ___.
7.An imperious attitude is different from being kind or ___ in how it demands respect.