imp

/ɪmp/

/ɪmp/

Other forms: imps

An imp is a trouble maker — not a thug or a criminal, but a mischievous sort who might make prank phone calls or harass a substitute teacher.

Impe is an Old English word meaning young plant shoot. It was eventually applied to the offspring of people and later used pejoratively in the sense of offspring of the devil. The devilish meaning remains, but an imp can also be any mischievous person, especially a small child. You might call the boy you babysit an imp if he's in the habit of playing tricks on you — like locking you out of the house.

Definitions of imp

1. noun

   one who is playfully mischievous
   synonyms: monkey, rapscallion, rascal, scalawag, scallywag, scamp

   types:

   brat, holy terror, little terror, terror

   a very troublesome child

   type of:

   child, fry, kid, minor, nestling, nipper, shaver, small fry, tiddler, tike, tyke, youngster

   a young person of either sex
2. noun

   (folklore) a small fairy-like creature that is somewhat mischievous
   synonyms: brownie, elf, gremlin, hob, pixie, pixy

   types:

   leprechaun

   a mischievous elf in Irish folklore

   sandman

   an elf in fairy stories who sprinkles sand in children's eyes to make them sleepy

   type of:

   faerie, faery, fairy, fay, sprite

   a small being, human in form, playful and having magical powers