Imp Meaning in English

word

US

ˈɪmp

IMP

UK

ˈɪmp

IMP

Definition

An 'imp' is a small, mischievous creature from stories and folklore, or a playful, naughty child.

Usage & Nuances

Rarely used for actual mythical creatures; usually light, playful, and affectionate when describing a mischievous child. Not offensive—used jokingly. Colloquial; rarely formal.

• Spanish: diablillo - pillo (niño travieso)
• Portuguese (BR): diabinho - pestinha (criança travessa)
• Portuguese (PT): diabrete - peste (criança traquina)
• Chinese (Simplified): 小恶魔 - 淘气鬼
• Chinese (Traditional): 小惡魔 - 淘氣鬼
• Hindi: शैतान बच्चा - नटखट बच्चा
• Arabic: شيطان صغير - طفل مشاغب
• Bengali: দুষ্টু শিশু - দুষ্টু প্রাণী (কল্পকাহিনিতে)
• Russian: чёртёнок - проказник (о ребёнке)
• Japanese: いたずら小僧 - 小悪魔 (童話など)
• Vietnamese: quỷ nhỏ - đứa trẻ tinh nghịch
• Korean: 장난꾸러기 - 작은 악동 (이야기 속의 존재)
• Turkish: afacan - küçük cin (masallarda)
• Urdu: شرارتی بچہ - شریر جن (لوک کہانیوں میں)
• Indonesian: nhóc tinh nghịch - yêu tinh nhỏ (trong truyện cổ tích)

Example Sentences

The little imp hid my keys again.

basic

My cousin is such an imp when she visits.

basic

The story was about an imp who liked to play tricks.

basic

Stop being such an imp and help me clean up!

natural

He grinned like an imp after pulling that prank.

natural

Those twins are real imps—always up to something.

natural