impish

Examples

• All

• Hank steps over with an impish smile, then playfully throws the ball at her.

  Fiction book (1990)

• As she got closer, the impish, pixie-like features were immediately unmistakable.

  Fiction book (1991)

• Ace has a silly, impish look on his face.

  Fiction book (1994)

• And the impish look on Bryan's face told her he had invited him.

  Fiction book (1999)

• "I think this wine needs to breathe a little while longer," Anna said with an impish grin.

  Fiction book (1995)

• Bite your tongue!" He chuckled at her impish look.

  Fiction book (1991)

• The child's impish grin told her sister that she was not a bit sorry.

  Fiction book (2001)

• Anastasia has a beautiful but slightly impish face, dominated by large, blue, mischievous eyes.

  Fiction book (1997)

• "Good thinking," Tree said, taking the sting out of his gibe with an impish grin.

  Fiction book (1992)

• As he strolled past her toward the communal baths, he beamed her an impish grin.

  Fiction book (2000)

Synonyms

W

wicked

vsimpish

61 4.0

Behaving in a naughty, playful way that annoys others

is similar but focuses more on teasing and light annoyance

M

mischievous

vsimpish

19 3.5

Causing playful trouble that is not harmful

is more teasing or annoyingly naughty rather than merely harmless

D

devilish

vsimpish

17 4.4

Being very naughty in a playful, clever way

is more teasing and annoyingly naughty rather than boldly wicked

E

elvish

vsimpish

4 8.1

Playful and slightly naughty in a quick, happy way

is ordinary teasing mischief without the sprightly magical image

R

roguish

vsimpish

3 6.7

Showing playful, friendly mischief

is more teasingly naughty and can be less charming or appealing

P

puckish

vsimpish

2 8.4

Being playful in a slightly naughty, teasing way

is broader mischief not tied mainly to humor or jokes

P

prankish

vsimpish

• Informal

1 7.5

Being playful and playing small tricks to surprise people

is similar mischief but not limited to trick playing

E

elfish

vsimpish

1 6.8

Playful and slightly naughty in a cheerful, harmless way

is less good-natured and more teasingly annoying in tone

I

implike

vsimpish

• Informal

8.1

Playfully naughty and teasing like a small troublemaker

is the same playful naughtiness without the explicit mythical comparison

P

pícaro

vsimpish

• Literature

9.9

Playfully naughty in a way that shows teasing or flirtation

is similar but without the teasingly flirtatious or romantic nuance

S

scampish

vsimpish

6.3

Acting playful and slightly naughty, often doing small harmless tricks

is broader naughtiness without focusing on rascal-like behavior

A

arch

vsimpish

• Literature

7.9

Playfully teasing in a sly way

is more openly naughty and may annoy rather than only slyly tease

P

pixilated

vsimpish

• UK

9.3

Playfully naughty and a little odd

is more straightforward teasing mischief rather than whimsical eccentricity

P

pixieish

vsimpish

8.2

Being playful and slightly naughty like a small friendly fairy

is similar but lacks the specific small magical creature feel

P

pixyish

vsimpish

• UK

8.2

Playful and a little naughty like a small fairy

is plain teasing mischief rather than creaturelike appearance

Antonyms

A

angelic

32 4.0

Kind, pure, and innocent in a way that seems like an angel

W

well-behaved

25 2.8

Polite and calm around other people

How Mischievous

devilish

17 4.4

naughty

145 1.0

impish

6 6.1

cheeky

• Informal

33 4.8

roguish

3 6.7

playful

79 1.6

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology