imp
ihmp
Imp (noun) means a small, mischievous supernatural creature, like a minor demon. Example: “The story's villain was a cackling imp with tiny horns.”
noun
1
A small, mischievous supernatural creature, like a minor demon.
"The story's villain was a cackling imp with tiny horns."
2
A mischievous child.
"Their youngest is a real little imp."
How to use imp
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small troublemaking creature or child — mischievous rather than truly evil.
Common pairings
little imp
mischievous imp
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Word forms
- Plural
- imps
- Third person singular
- imps
- Past tense
- imped
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The story's villain was a cackling _____ with tiny horns.
Etymology
From Old English impian, "to graft" (originally referring to grafting a plant shoot), later coming to mean a child or offspring, and eventually a mischievous small creature.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for imp
See all rhymes for imp →Frequently asked questions
What does “imp” mean?
The word “imp” means a small, mischievous supernatural creature, like a minor demon. In plain terms, a small troublemaking creature or child — mischievous rather than truly evil.
How do you pronounce “imp”?
“Imp” is pronounced ihmp (/ɪmp/ in IPA).
How do you use “imp” in a sentence?
Here is “imp” used in a sentence: “The story's villain was a cackling imp with tiny horns.”
What part of speech is “imp”?
“Imp” is a noun.
Where does the word “imp” come from?
The word “imp” comes from Old English. From Old English impian, "to graft" (originally referring to grafting a plant shoot), later coming to mean a child or offspring, and eventually a mischievous small creature.
Is “imp” a common word?
“Imp” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “imp” have?
“Imp” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small, mischievous supernatural creature, like a minor demon.
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