Impish

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /ˈɪmpɪʃ/

Definitions

1. Displaying a mischievous and playful nature that often brings both delight and annoyance to those around
2. Possessing a charming yet troublesome demeanor that reflects a sense of fun and mischief
3. Exhibiting a playful and often naughty behavior that endears and irritates others simultaneously

Etymology: "Impish" is a simple formation: the noun "imp" with the adjective-forming suffix "-ish" attached. The "-ish" ending is an old one, traceable through Old English "-isc" and the Proto-Germanic "-iskaz" back to a Proto-Indo-European root, and it has long meant "having the character of" or "somewhat like." So an imp is a mischievous little creature, and impish describes behaviour that is like an imp's. The noun "imp" itself has a more interesting past. It goes back to Old English "impa," meaning a young shoot or graft, especially one grafted onto a tree to strengthen it. Over time that sense of a young, vigorous growth carried over into a sense of a child or offspring, and later a young rascal, before settling on the small devilish creature of folklore. Playful naughtiness is therefore a meaning that the word arrived at fairly late in its history.

Synonyms: mischievous, playful, naughty, whimsical, frolicsome

Antonyms: serious, solemn, grave