impish
Like a rascal
Impish describes behavior that is playfully mischievous, suggesting a childlike delight in mild troublemaking.
An impish grin hints at a prank in progress or a secret joke.
The word evokes imps—small demons of folklore—but without genuine malice: She gave an impish wink before hiding his keys.
Tiny magical troublemaker
- spriteTiny magical creature
- puckishWhimsically inclined to tease
- elfinSmall and sprite-like
- feyEerily whimsical, sprite-like
gamine · pixieish · changeling · will-o'-the-wisp · puck · hobgoblin · brownie · kobold
Someone who plays tricks
- tricksterCunning deceiver in myth
- rascalLovable troublemaker
- scampMischievous young person
- rapscallionMischievous person, usually endearing
waggish · arch · knavish · scampish · rascally · roguish · devilish · meddlesome
Broad, toothy smile
- smirkPleased, superior smile
- twinkleShine with flickering light
- glintBrief bright reflection
- winkBrief one-eyed closure
sparkle · gleam · dimpled · sidelong · knowing · mocking · sly · coy
Inclined to merriment
- sportiveFond of games
- friskyLively and playful
- sprightlyEnergetic and nimble
- rollickingNoisily high-spirited
gamesome · lighthearted · jocular · blithe · merry · spirited · vivacious · kittenish
Boldly disrespectful, often playfully
- pertBoldly cheeky
- brazenShamelessly bold
- boldCourageous and daring
- insolentBoldly rude and disrespectful
flippant · irreverent · audacious · cocky · smart-alecky · lippy · fresh · impertinent
pixie
Tiny magical troublemaker
fey · gamine · pixieish · changeling · will-o'-the-wisp · puck · hobgoblin · brownie · kobold · goblin
prankster
Someone who plays tricks
rapscallion · waggish · arch · knavish · scampish · rascally · roguish · devilish · meddlesome · teasing
grin
Broad, toothy smile
wink · sparkle · gleam · dimpled · sidelong · knowing · mocking · sly · coy · mirthful
frolicsome
Inclined to merriment
rollicking · gamesome · lighthearted · jocular · blithe · merry · spirited · vivacious · kittenish · coltish
saucy
Boldly disrespectful, often playfully
insolent · flippant · irreverent · audacious · cocky · smart-alecky · lippy · fresh · impertinent · brash