Urchin — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈər-chən/ ur·chin

Meaning & Definition of Urchin

Urchin (noun)

  1. a mischievous and often poor and raggedly clothed youngster
  2. sea urchin
  3. hedgehog

Urchin (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. an appealingly mischievous person

    "we could never resist the little urchin's pleas for candy"

    similar: devil, hellion, imp, mischief, monkey, rapscallion, rascal, rogue, scamp
    related: cutup, larker, madcap, skylarker, ragamuffin, brat, disrupter, misbehaver, nuisance, juvenile delinquent, gamin, gamine
    near: beast, boor, cad, churl, clown, creep, cretin, cur, heel, joker, louse, lout, skunk, snake, stinkard, stinker, knave, miscreant, reprobate, scalawag, scapegrace, scoundrel, varlet, villain

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Urchin

The most common words with a similar meaning to Urchin:

devil, hellion, imp, mischief, monkey, rapscallion, rascal, rogue, scamp

Related Words for Urchin

cutup, larker, madcap, skylarker, ragamuffin, brat, disrupter, misbehaver, nuisance, juvenile delinquent, gamin, gamine

Near Antonyms of Urchin

beast, boor, cad, churl, clown, creep, cretin, cur, heel, joker, louse, lout, skunk, snake, stinkard, stinker, knave, miscreant, reprobate, scalawag, scapegrace, scoundrel, varlet, villain

Origin & Etymology of Urchin

Middle English yrchoun, urcheoun, hirichoun "hedgehog, sea urchin," borrowed from Anglo-French heriçon, hirçun, irechon, going back to Vulgar Latin *ērīciōn-, *ērīciō, derivative (with the Latin suffix -ōn-, -ō, usually of persons) of Latin ērīcius "hedgehog, kind of military obstacle," from *ēr "hedgehog" + -īcius (or -icius), adjective suffix; *ēr, if earlier *hēr, probably going back to a root noun from the Indo-European verbal base *ǵher-s- "bristle, become stiff," whence also Greek chḗr "hedgehog" (attested only by the grammarian Hesychius) horror:1

First known use: 14th century

Words & Phrases Containing Urchin

sea urchin

Frequently Asked Questions about Urchin

What does "Urchin" mean?

"Urchin" means a mischievous and often poor and raggedly clothed youngster. As a noun, it is defined as: a mischievous and often poor and raggedly clothed youngster.

What is another word for "Urchin"?

Other words for "Urchin" include devil, hellion, imp, mischief, monkey, rapscallion, rascal and rogue. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Urchin" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Urchin"?

There are 21 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Urchin". Common alternatives include devil, hellion, imp, mischief, monkey, rapscallion, rascal, rogue and scamp.

How do you use "Urchin" in a sentence?

Examples of "Urchin" in a sentence: "we could never resist the little urchin's pleas for candy".

Is "Urchin" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Urchin" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Urchin"?

"Urchin" is pronounced /ˈər-chən/ and divided into syllables as ur·chin.

What is the origin of the word "Urchin"?

"Urchin" comes from Middle English yrchoun, urcheoun, hirichoun "hedgehog, sea urchin," borrowed from Anglo-French heriçon, hirçun, irechon, going back to Vulgar Latin *ērīciōn-, *ērīciō, derivative (with the Latin suffix -ōn-, -ō, usually of persons) of Latin ērīcius "hedgehog, kind of military obstacle," from *ēr "hedgehog" + -īcius (or -icius), adjective suffix; *ēr, if earlier *hēr, probably going back to a root noun from the Indo-European verbal base *ǵher-s- "bristle, become stiff," whence also Greek chḗr "hedgehog" (attested only by the grammarian Hesychius) horror:1. First known use: 14th century.

What is another word for "Urchin" meaning "an appealingly mischievous person"?

When "Urchin" (noun) means an appealingly mischievous person, synonyms include devil, hellion, imp, mischief, monkey and rapscallion.