impishness
/ˈɪm.pɪʃ.nəs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɪm.pɪʃ.nəs/ (ame, ipa)
impishness — noun
1. a quality in a person's actions, expression, or way of speaking that suggests a
a quality in a person's actions, expression, or way of speaking that suggests a playful desire to cause minor trouble in a way others find amusing or charming rather than annoying
Samir had a glint of impishness in his eyes as he pretended not to know where the boss's pen had gone.
collocation: glint of impishness + in one's eyes
The children loved their aunt Binta's impishness — she always hid one of the biscuits and blamed it on the dog.
uncountable noun with possessive: [person]'s impishness
Ana's impishness came out in her habit of switching the salt and sugar jars just to see who would notice.
- mischievousness
very close in meaning, but can carry a slightly more negative or naughty tone than the playful warmth of impishness
- playfulness
broader term that does not necessarily involve causing trouble or breaking rules
- roguishness
more adult and flirtatious in tone; often describes charming dishonesty rather than childlike mischief
- seriousness
the opposite quality — a solemn, earnest manner with no hint of play
- solemnity
formal, grave behaviour contrasted with the light-hearted nature of impishness
用法筆記
Describes an attractive, light-hearted form of mischief. Frequently paired with nouns like 'glint', 'hint', 'touch', or 'air' to describe a visible quality in someone's expression or manner.