imp

¹ American  

[imp] / ɪmp /

noun

1. a little devil or demon; an evil spirit.

2. a mischievous child.

   Synonyms:

   devil, brat, rascal, scamp

3. Archaic. a scion or offshoot of a plant or tree.

4. Archaic. an offspring.

---

verb (used with object)

1. Falconry.

   1. to graft (feathers) into a wing.

   2. to furnish (a wing, tail, etc.) with feathers, as to make good losses or deficiencies and improve powers of flight.

2. Archaic. to add a piece to; mend or repair.

IMP ² American  

1. International Match Point.

---

imp. ³ American  

abbreviation

1. in the first place.

---

imp. ⁴ American  

abbreviation

1. imperative.

2. imperfect.

3. imperial.

4. impersonal.

5. implement.

6. import.

7. important.

8. imported.

9. importer.

10. imprimatur.

11. imprint.

12. improper.

13. improved.

14. improvement.

---

Imp. ⁵ American  

abbreviation

1. Emperor.

---

Imp. ⁶ American  

abbreviation

1. Empress.

---

imp. ¹ British  

abbreviation

1. imperative

2. imperfect

3. imperial

4. imprimatur

---

Imp. ² British  

abbreviation

1. Imperator

2. Imperatrix

3. Imperial

---

imp ³ British  

/ ɪmp /

noun

1. a small demon or devil; mischievous sprite

2. a mischievous child

---

verb

1. (tr) falconry to insert (new feathers) into the stumps of broken feathers in order to repair the wing of a hawk or falcon

Etymology

Origin of imp¹

before 900; (noun) Middle English impe, Old English impa, impe shoot, graft < Late Latin impotus, imputus grafted shoot < Greek émphytos planted, implanted, verbal adjective of emphŷein to implant ( em- em- ² + phŷein to bring forth); (v.) Middle English impen to plant, graft, Old English impian, geimpian, derivative of the noun (compare Old High German impfōn, impitōn > German impfen to inoculate); sense “demon” < phrase imp of the devil

Origin of imp.³

From the Latin word imprīmīs

Origin of Imp.⁵

From the Latin word Imperātor

Origin of Imp.⁶

From the Latin word Imperātrīx

Example Sentences

What consequential life experiences have I missed, taunting my eyeballs, indulging this social media imp turned experimental pugilist as he bumbles around the ring with has-beens and never-weres?

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 20, 2025

He works hard for his laughs, sometimes too hard, but he’s an endearing imp — an overwhelmed freelancer trying to survive the unforgiving gig economy of his age.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 9, 2025

In performance, while his bandmates concentrated on their instruments, Mr. Suzuki shimmied around the stage like a psychedelic imp, often barefoot and shirtless, his face hidden by an undulating mane of long black hair.

From New York Times • Feb. 20, 2024

The experienced tempter warns the imp not to let his subject actually believe in God or satanic powers.

From Washington Times • Oct. 29, 2023

The tall imp twisted Seth around, grabbed his upper arms, and hoisted him into the air so they were staring eye to eye.

From "Fablehaven" by Brandon Mull