espièglerie
noun
es·piè·gle·rie e-spye-glə-ˈrē 
: the quality or state of being roguish or frolicsome
Synonyms
- coltishness
- friskiness
- impishness
- larkiness
- mischief
- mischievousness
- playfulness
- prankishness
- sportfulness
- sportiveness
- tricksiness
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
a delightful young woman whose espièglerie and sophisticated wit make her a favorite party guest a femme fatale with a penchant for sophisticated espièglerie that men found irresistible
Word History
Etymology
French, from espiègle
First Known Use
1815, in the meaning defined above
espièglerie
noun
1
as in sportfulness
a natural disposition for playful behavior a delightful young woman whose espièglerie and sophisticated wit make her a favorite party guest Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- sportfulness
- playfulness
- mischievousness
- mischief
- coltishness
- larkiness
- tricksiness
- prankishness
- kittenishness
- sportiveness
- friskiness
- archness
- impishness
- energy
- hob
- coyness
- roguishness
- rascality
- diabolicalness
- devilment
- devilishness
- devilry
- jocundity
- frivolousness
- liveliness
- vivacity
- waggery
- mirthfulness
- spunkiness
- spiritedness
- knavery
- vivaciousness
- deviltry
- whimsicality
- sprightliness
- lightheartedness
- jocularity
- gaiety
- gayety
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- earnestness
- soberness
- seriousness
- sobersidedness
- sternness
- solemnity
- grimness
- serious-mindedness
- graveness
- starchiness
- solemnness
- restraint
- constraint
- stuffiness
- priggishness
- self-control
2
as in mischief
playful, reckless behavior that is not intended to cause serious harm a femme fatale with a penchant for sophisticated espièglerie that men found irresistible Synonyms & Similar Words
- mischief
- waggishness
- playfulness
- hob
- roguishness
- wickedness
- rascality
- shenanigan(s)
- misconduct
- devilment
- devilishness
- devilry
- waggery
- roguery
- mischievousness
- monkey business
- knavery
- impishness
- trick
- practical joke
- diablerie
- monkeyshine(s)
- deviltry
- diabolicalness
- misbehavior
- troublemaking
- skylarking
- buffoonery
- dido
- horseplay
- monkeying
- naughtiness
- chicanery
- sportiveness
- friskiness
- high jinks
- irritation
- trickery
- tomfoolery
- caper
- roughhousing
- goings-on
- antic
- hijinks
- exasperation
- annoyance
- aggravation
- hanky-panky
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- gravity
- seriousness
- gravitas
- solemnity
- solemnness