puckish

American  

[puhk-ish] / ˈpʌk ɪʃ /

adjective

(often initial capital letter)

1. mischievous; impish.

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Other Word Forms

• puckishly
  adjective
• puckishness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of puckish

First recorded in 1870–75; Puck + -ish ¹

Explanation

Someone who's puckish is up to a little trouble. Your puckish friend might play practical jokes on you, but they're more silly than meanspirited. You can imagine a puckish person with a naughty twinkle in her eye. She might drive you crazy, but she also makes you laugh. This impish adjective dates from the 1860s, and we have Shakespeare to thank for it. It comes from Puck, the mischievous fairy-like creature from English folklore, made famous after being a character in Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream."

Example Sentences

This makes for puckish satire of the literati and its highly cultured brand of condescension; at times the movie feels like a South American spin on a Noah Baumbach film.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 29, 2026

But he’s also puckish – sylph-like and otherworldly, seductive and repellent, as likely to swaddle Sarah in her heart’s desire as he is to toss her into the belching, farting Bog of Eternal Stench.

From Salon • Jan. 24, 2026

But they tend to be more puckish than productive, and that’s part of their charm.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 22, 2024

We met at Le Bernardin — Grey’s choice — and for two hours they shared stories, Redmayne reverential and thoughtful, Grey puckish and supportive.

From New York Times • May 15, 2024

Then, laughing, he slides down and away, throwing a puckish glance back to see if I’ll follow.

From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black