gamin
Ragged city boy
A gamin is a street urchin—a neglected child who roams city streets, surviving by wits and petty theft.
The word evokes nineteenth-century Paris or Dickensian London.
It can also describe someone with a mischievous, impish quality.
The feminine form is gamine, which has developed distinct meanings related to a slim, boyish appearance in women.
Homeless young person
- waifAbandoned, neglected child
- ragamuffinShabby, unkempt child
- guttersnipeNeglected street youth
- strayWander from course
orphan · vagabond · imp · scamp · rascal · neglected child · homeless youth · runaway
Playfully mischievous in manner
- pranksterSomeone who plays tricks
- rogueDishonest or uncontrolled agent
- scampMischievous young person
- tricksterCunning deceiver in myth
troublemaker · rapscallion · cheeky · playful · spirited · roguish · devilish · naughty
Grimly poor, socially unjust
- VictorianOf a prim era
- HugoScience fiction award
- Les MiserablesFrench historical novel
- picaresqueRascally adventure narrative style
nineteenth century · Paris · London · cobblestone · gaslight · workhouse · alley · tenement
Minor or thin
undersized · disheveled · unkempt · hollow cheeks · sharp features · nimble · agile · quick
street child
Homeless young person
- waifAbandoned, neglected child
- ragamuffinShabby, unkempt child
- guttersnipeNeglected street youth
stray · orphan · vagabond · imp · scamp · rascal · neglected child · homeless youth · runaway · foundling
impish
Playfully mischievous in manner
trickster · troublemaker · rapscallion · cheeky · playful · spirited · roguish · devilish · naughty · precocious
Dickensian
Grimly poor, socially unjust
- VictorianOf a prim era
- HugoScience fiction award
- Les MiserablesFrench historical novel
picaresque · nineteenth century · Paris · London · cobblestone · gaslight · workhouse · alley · tenement · chimney sweep
slight
Minor or thin
small · undersized · disheveled · unkempt · hollow cheeks · sharp features · nimble · agile · quick · elfin