impish

/ˈɪmpɪʃ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɪmpɪʃ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈim-pish/ (ame, mw)

impish — adjective

  • impishpositive
  • more impishcomparative
  • most impishsuperlative

1. behaving in a cheeky, mischievous way that is meant to be funny and is not reall

1.形容詞C1
釋義

behaving in a cheeky, mischievous way that is meant to be funny and is not really meant to harm anyone, like a naughty but charming child.

例句

Beatriz gave her younger brother an impish grin before hiding his shoes.

attributive: impish + facial expression noun (grin / smile)

Hugo, with his impish sense of humour, kept rewriting the office welcome sign.

attributive: impish + sense of humour

同義詞
  • mischievous

    the everyday word; covers the same playful naughtiness with less of the elf-like, charming overtone.

  • puckish

    literary; even more whimsical and fairy-tale-flavoured than 'impish'.

  • roguish

    playful in a charming, slightly bad-boy way; often used of adults rather than children.

  • elfin

    focuses on a small, pixie-like appearance with playful charm, not on behaviour.

反義詞
  • solemn

    serious and humourless, with no playful streak.

  • earnest

    sincere and intense, the opposite of light teasing.

用法筆記

Almost always attributive, modifying a noun that names an expression, manner, or person (grin, smile, look, sense of humour, child). The predicative pattern is normally hedged as 'something impish about X' rather than the bare '*X is impish*'. Carries a warm, affectionate tone — never used for malicious behaviour.

常見錯誤

❌The thief gave the guard an impish smile before stealing the watch.
✅The thief gave the guard a sly smile before stealing the watch.
💡'impish' is affectionate; use 'sly' or 'devious' when the trickery is harmful.
❌My boss was impish when he refused to sign the contract.
✅My boss was being awkward when he refused to sign the contract.
💡'impish' describes light, playful naughtiness, not serious obstruction.