Insouciance
/ˌɪnˈsuː.si.əns/noun
Lighthearted unconcern or lack of worry.
Did you know?Insouciance comes from French insouciant, literally meaning “unconcerned,” and it ultimately traces back to Latin sollicitus, the same root behind *solicit*, showing how “care” and “anxiety” can be flipped into stylish emotional detachment.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
sollicitus
“agitated, uneasy, anxious”
Late Latin
Latin
sollicitare
“to disturb, rouse, trouble”
Old French
Old French
souci
“care, worry, concern”
16th Century
French
insouciant
“unconcerned, careless”
18th Century
English
insouciance
“carefree unconcern or indifference”
Explore more surprising origins