imp
/imp/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A small, mischievous creature or child: An "imp" refers to a being, often mythical, known for playful troublemaking, or metaphorically to a child who behaves in a similarly naughty but not malicious way.
- A minor demon or sprite: In folklore and mythology, an "imp" is a small, often less powerful, supernatural creature associated with mischief or evil.
Examples of Usage
- Noun:
- The story described an imp that hid people's keys and laughed.
- Her son is a little imp, always playing tricks on his sister.
- In the old tale, the wizard kept an imp in a bottle to do his bidding.
Advanced Usage
- "Imp of the perverse": A literary phrase describing an inner force that tempts a person to do things precisely because they are wrong or forbidden.
- He felt the imp of the perverse urging him to shout in the quiet library.
Variants and Related Words
- Impish (adj): Having the qualities of an imp; mischievous.
- She gave him an impish grin before running away.
- Impishly (adv): In a mischievous manner.
- Impishness (n): The quality of being impish.
Synonyms
- Rascal: A mischievous person.
- Scamp: A person, especially a child, who is mischievous in a likable way.
- Sprite: A small, elusive supernatural being; a fairy or elf.
Related Phrases
- "Young imp": Often used to affectionately scold a misbehaving child.
- Come back here, you young imp!
Noun
- one who is playfully mischievous
- (folklore) fairies that are somewhat mischievous