noun / adjective
gamine
guh-MEEN/ɡæˈmiːn/
A slim girl or young woman with mischievous, boyish charm, or having that appearance.
With her slim frame and impish grin, she looks like a gamine.
Etymology
The feminine form of “street urchin” supplies the image of a mischievous girl. In this English sense, that image describes a small, slim, pert girl or young woman.
In context
Julia Garner, such a gamine. She has very sharp facial features, and she plays the rebellious role of Ruth in Ozark extremely well.
More examples
- Her cropped hair gives her a gamine look.
- The actress plays a spirited gamine who outwits everyone.
- Her gamine charm makes even a simple outfit seem playful.
Forms
gamine · gamines
Similar words
- elfin
- Suggests a small, delicate appearance with an otherworldly quality.
- boyish
- Describes traits resembling a boy's, without implying feminine charm.