What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
imps
Example
The little boy was always getting into trouble, he was such an imp. [imp: noun]
Example
The impish grin on her face gave away her mischievous intentions. [impish: adjective]
urchin
Example
The little urchin begged for food on the street corner. [urchin: noun]
Example
The sea urchin's spines made it difficult to handle. [sea urchin: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Urchin is more commonly used than imp in everyday language, and is often used to describe children or sea creatures. Imp is less common and is often used in literature or fantasy contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between imps and urchin?
Neither imp nor urchin are particularly formal words, but urchin may be slightly more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while imp is more commonly used in informal or creative writing contexts.
