Glossary entry (derived from question below)
English term or phrase:
whimsical
English answer:
bratty / a right little madam [UK]
Added to glossary by
Charles Davis
Apr 26, 2012 09:32
12 yrs ago
3 viewers *
English term
whimsical
English
Other
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
I need a synonym for the words " a spoiled brat" to describe a little girl who`s very spoiled, she alway does it her way, she´s stubborn and capricious. She´s unbearable. I need an informal adjective. Could whimsical be it?
Responses
Change log
May 1, 2012 12:58: Charles Davis Created KOG entry
Responses
+3
37 mins
Selected
bratty / a right little madam [UK]
Since you asked for informal options. In British English, "a little madam", often "a right little madam" or "a proper little madam", would be perfect for the kind of child you describe. But I think it is specifically British, and wouldn't work in American English.
"Bratty", ie. brat-like, is much more American, and I think it's probably the best informal term for this range of qualities. It's usually applied to very young girls.
"Bratty
A word describing the manner of one who contains all of the natures of a brat, ie a person who is whiny, young, throws temper tantrums, and is an all around immature child."
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=bratty
"Are you raising a bratty kid?
Soft parenting has created a generation of spoiled brats, according to Maggie Mamen"
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/parenting/young-children...
"Bratty", ie. brat-like, is much more American, and I think it's probably the best informal term for this range of qualities. It's usually applied to very young girls.
"Bratty
A word describing the manner of one who contains all of the natures of a brat, ie a person who is whiny, young, throws temper tantrums, and is an all around immature child."
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=bratty
"Are you raising a bratty kid?
Soft parenting has created a generation of spoiled brats, according to Maggie Mamen"
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/parenting/young-children...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thanks a lot. This word is the most suitable one in this case."
+1
3 mins
whimsical doesn't work. Strong-willed and capricious
I don't think that there is one word for the two concepts. I'd stick with capricious. A whim or a fancy would be too positive in this context.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Paul Lambert
: Exactly. Whimsical would lesson the impact.
1 min
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Thanks, Paul. "Lesson the impact" is very whimsical, although I understood what you meant. It made me smile.
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4 mins
wild
I wouldn't say "whimsical" because it has positive connotations as if the child is somehow charming (according to your description, this is apparently not the case).
I would go with "wild" as an informal adjective: you have the expression "to run wild" as well as "wild child."
I would go with "wild" as an informal adjective: you have the expression "to run wild" as well as "wild child."
9 mins
Yvonne Gallagher
Ireland
Ireland
Native in English
&
English
Specializes in field
Ireland
right word, right place. everytime
Native in: English (Variants: US, Canadian, Irish, UK) 
Works in: French to English, Spanish to English, English, and 1 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
663
impulsive/fickle/erratic
as Jenny says, you can keep "capricious" but if that seems too formal for you any of these three may work.
NOT whimsical though as it is far too positive in connotation
NOT whimsical though as it is far too positive in connotation
50 mins
Cilian O'Tuama
Germany
Germany
Native in English
&
English
Specializes in field
Germany
Quality Translations since 1986
Native in: English
Works in: German to English, English, German, and 6 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
28
pert
2 a : marked by a saucy freedom and forwardness : flippantly cocky and self-assertive : IMPUDENT, IMPERTINENT <children were pert , disobedient, irreverent at home -- Dixon Wecter>; especially : mischievously or heedlessly aggressive and rather disrespectful <was amused by the boy's pert answer> <with a pert toss of her head -- W.M.Thackeray> <pert little girls in short frocks -- Siegfried Sassoon>
(Merriam-Webster)
(Merriam-Webster)
+1
13 mins
Colin Rowe
Germany
Germany
Native in English
&
English
Works in field
Germany
Par Excellence Translations
Native in: English (Variant: British) 
Works in: German to English, French to English, Italian to English, and 3 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
12
impossible
an impossible child
pig-headed, wilful, capricious, ...
Not "whimsical" which sounds too indulgent towards the attrocious behaviour described!
"sporn of the devil", on the other hand, might be a little strong...!
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Note added at 22 mins (2012-04-26 09:55:23 GMT)
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headstrong, unruly
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Note added at 24 mins (2012-04-26 09:56:46 GMT)
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stroppy is always a useful word when describing children.
"bloody-minded" can come in handy, too!
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Note added at 1 hr (2012-04-26 10:46:46 GMT)
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obstreperous
pig-headed, wilful, capricious, ...
Not "whimsical" which sounds too indulgent towards the attrocious behaviour described!
"sporn of the devil", on the other hand, might be a little strong...!
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Note added at 22 mins (2012-04-26 09:55:23 GMT)
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headstrong, unruly
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Note added at 24 mins (2012-04-26 09:56:46 GMT)
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stroppy is always a useful word when describing children.
"bloody-minded" can come in handy, too!
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Note added at 1 hr (2012-04-26 10:46:46 GMT)
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obstreperous
+1
2 hrs
Suzan Hamer
Netherlands
Netherlands
Native in English
&
English
Specializes in field
Netherlands
Fussy editing for fussy people.
Native in: English (Variant: US)
Works in: English, Dutch to English
Related KudoZ points
:
27
English term (edited):
spoiled brat
little devil, enfant terrible, holy terror
How about any of these? The original question asked for a synonym for spoiled brat. My confidence that these terms are good synonyms for spoiled brat is high; my confidence that you will like them is medium...
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Note added at 9 hrs (2012-04-26 18:53:27 GMT)
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... or little terror.
And no, to answer the second question, whimsical is not right.
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Note added at 9 hrs (2012-04-26 18:53:27 GMT)
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... or little terror.
And no, to answer the second question, whimsical is not right.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Martin Riordan
: "holy terror" takes me back! It's used a lot in Ireland (a holy country!)
1 hr
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Thank you, Martin.
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