noun
hellion
HEL-ee-un/ˈheliən/
A rowdy or mischievous person.
The little hellion jumps on the sofa in muddy boots despite his grandmother's protests.
Etymology
The dialect word hallion meant a worthless fellow or scamp. Association with hell shaped hellion, a name for a troublesome person; hallion’s deeper origin is unknown.
In context
Third son Look at you. What kind of thing have you raised A little hellion
More examples
- Those hellions keep ringing our doorbell and running away.
- My grandfather admits he was a hellion in college.
- She's a little hellion, but her teacher loves her playful spirit.
Forms
hellion · hellions
Similar words
- rascal
- Often more affectionate, suggesting playful mischief rather than wild behavior.
- troublemaker
- Emphasizes causing problems or conflict rather than being rowdy.