Impish
adjective
Mischievous or playful, especially in a teasing way.
He gives me an impish smile before splashing water at me
Often appears as...
- impish grin
- impish smile
adjective
Relating to or like a little devil.
Her impish laughter and twinkling eyes had a devilishly enchanting effect
Often appears as...
- impish demeanor
- impish charm
Usage tips
Disapproving
Literary
adjective
Mischievous or playful, especially in a teasing way.
He gives me an impish smile before splashing water at me
Often appears as...
- impish grin
- impish smile
adjective
Relating to or like a little devil.
Her impish laughter and twinkling eyes had a devilishly enchanting effect
Often appears as...
- impish demeanor
- impish charm
Usage tips
Disapproving
Literary
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Playfully Troublesome
Use 'impish' when someone causes mild trouble or irritation but remains endearing or likeable.
The boy's impish behavior kept the classroom lively.
Pro Tip 2/3Innocent Charm
'Impish' often carries a notion of innocence, unlike 'naughty' which might imply a bit more intent.
His impish antics made us laugh rather than scold.
Pro Tip 3/3Subtle Humor
An 'impish' action or remark is usually subtly humorous, not obvious or slapstick comedy.
Her impish comment left us chuckling quietly.
Pro Tip 1/3Playfully Troublesome
Use 'impish' when someone causes mild trouble or irritation but remains endearing or likeable.
The boy's impish behavior kept the classroom lively.
Pro Tip 2/3Innocent Charm
'Impish' often carries a notion of innocence, unlike 'naughty' which might imply a bit more intent.
His impish antics made us laugh rather than scold.
Pro Tip 3/3Subtle Humor
An 'impish' action or remark is usually subtly humorous, not obvious or slapstick comedy.
Her impish comment left us chuckling quietly.
Pro Tip 1/3Playfully Troublesome
Use 'impish' when someone causes mild trouble or irritation but remains endearing or likeable.
The boy's impish behavior kept the classroom lively.
Pro Tip 2/3Innocent Charm
'Impish' often carries a notion of innocence, unlike 'naughty' which might imply a bit more intent.
His impish antics made us laugh rather than scold.
Pro Tip 3/3Subtle Humor
An 'impish' action or remark is usually subtly humorous, not obvious or slapstick comedy.
Her impish comment left us chuckling quietly.
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Video examples
An ode to Marvin Minsky...
sure you all have stories of it and I encourage you during the break to tell each other those stories but for the for those of you who didn't know him he was kind of he was kind of an impish sage who had this inner sense of the truth and I was always kind of teasing you
Video examples
Why should you read "A...
who have the last word, but the impish Puck who queries whether we can ever truly trust what we If we shadows have offended, Think but this and all is That you have but slumbered here
Video examples
An ode to Marvin Minsky...
sure you all have stories of it and I encourage you during the break to tell each other those stories but for the for those of you who didn't know him he was kind of he was kind of an impish sage who had this inner sense of the truth and I was always kind of teasing you
Video examples
Why should you read "A...
who have the last word, but the impish Puck who queries whether we can ever truly trust what we If we shadows have offended, Think but this and all is That you have but slumbered here
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Bob Iger
American Businessman
The attributes we're focused on for Mickey are exactly the ones Walt had in mind in the first place. The original Mickey was impish and irreverent. Walt sanitized him because when Mickey got so popular, there was a fear that his behavior was influencing kids.
Quote examples
James Gleick
American Author
We have met the Devil of Information Overload and his impish underlings, the computer virus, the busy signal, the dead link, and the PowerPoint presentation.
Quote examples
Bob Iger
American Businessman
The attributes we're focused on for Mickey are exactly the ones Walt had in mind in the first place. The original Mickey was impish and irreverent. Walt sanitized him because when Mickey got so popular, there was a fear that his behavior was influencing kids.
Quote examples
James Gleick
American Author
We have met the Devil of Information Overload and his impish underlings, the computer virus, the busy signal, the dead link, and the PowerPoint presentation.
Example 1 of 2
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