How to pronounce imp
Say it like IMP. Imp is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce imp. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- IMP
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Imp pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- IMPSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of imp
American and British speakers say imp in essentially the same way: /ɪmp/ in the US and /ɪmp/ in the UK.
British respelling: IMP.
What does imp mean?
- To engraft (a feather) on to a broken feather in a bird's wing or tail to repair it; to engraft (feathers) on to a bird, or a bird's wing or tail.
- To provide (someone or something) with wings, hence enabling them or it to soar.
- To add to or unite an object with (something) to lengthen the latter out or repair it; to eke out, enlarge, strengthen.
- A small, mischievous sprite or a malevolent supernatural creature, somewhat comparable to a demon but smaller and less powerful, formerly regarded as the child of the devil or a demon (see sense 3.2).
- A mischievous child.
- A baby Tasmanian devil.
- Synonym of god (“person who owns and runs a multi-user dungeon”).
Where does imp come from?
From Middle English impen, ympen (“to plant; (figuratively) to bury; to graft; to add to, insert, put into, set in; to mend (a falcon’s feather) by attaching a new feather on to the broken stump”), from Old English impian, ġeimpian (“to gra
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying imp
How do you pronounce imp?
Say IMP. The American pronunciation is /ɪmp/. In British English it is /ɪmp/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in imp?
Imp is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: IMP.
Do Americans and Brits say imp the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ɪmp/ and the British form is /ɪmp/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.