'impious' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'impius,' where 'im-' meant 'not' and 'pius' meant 'dutiful or pious.'

'impius' transformed into the Old French word 'impie,' and eventually became the modern English word 'impious' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'not dutiful or pious,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.