importune
/ˌɪmpɔːˈtjuːn/ IELTSAcademic
verb
To ask someone for something again and again, in a way that is annoying or hard to refuse. It is often more formal than "beg" or "ask".
- He importuned her for a loan.
- Students importuned the teacher for extra time.
- The press importuned him for a comment.
Adinary Nuance
Importune is stronger and more formal than "ask" or "request." It suggests repeated pressure, often when the other person may want to say no. It is close to "pester," but importune sounds more written and less casual. It is also different from "beg," which sounds more desperate and emotional.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- nài nỉ
- Spanish
- importunar
- Chinese
- 纠缠
- Japanese
- 懇願する
- Korean
- 간청하다
Etymology
Importune came into English in the late 1300s from Old French importuner, based on Latin importunus, meaning "troublesome" or "inconvenient." The old idea of "being troublesome" still fits the modern word.
Common phrases
importune someone for helpimportune someone to do somethingimportune the courtimportune for money
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is importune a formal word?
- Yes. It sounds formal and is more common in writing than in speech.
- What is the difference between importune and pester?
- Both mean to keep asking. Importune is more formal; pester is more everyday.
- Can I use importune in IELTS writing?
- Yes, but only if the sentence fits a formal style. It is not a common everyday word.