rascally

C2 Topic:Describing Qualities

US /ˈræs.kəl.i/ UK /ˈrɑː.skəl.i/ See IPA manual

Freq #67021

Meanings

1

adj
dishonest, unprincipled, or characteristic of a rascal

The rascally broker concealed the fee until the contract had been signed.
2

adj
mischievously bold in an appealing or humorous way

Her rascally grin revealed that the practical joke had been hers.
3

adv
in the dishonest or mean manner of a rascal

The landlord had acted rascally by charging the same deposit twice.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · dishonest, unprincipled, or... roguishscoundrellyunscrupulous

2 adj · mischievously bold in an... mischievous impish roguish

3 adv · in the dishonest or mean... dishonestly meanly

Opposites

honorable principled upright

Word family

Related forms rascal roguery

Etymology

Formed in English from rascal and the adjective-forming suffix -y. Rascal originally denoted low-status people or the poorest deer in a herd before developing the senses 'dishonest person' and, more mildly, 'mischievous rogue.'

Topics

Describing Qualities Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# rascally

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** adj, adv
**IPA (US):** /ˈræs.kəl.i/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈrɑː.skəl.i/
**Frequency rank:** 67021

## Meanings
1. dishonest, unprincipled, or characteristic of a rascal
2. mischievously bold in an appealing or humorous way
3. in the dishonest or mean manner of a rascal

## Examples
- The rascally broker concealed the fee until the contract had been signed.
- Her rascally grin revealed that the practical joke had been hers.
- The landlord had acted rascally by charging the same deposit twice.

## Synonyms
- roguish
- mischievous
- unscrupulous
- scoundrelly

## Antonyms
- honorable
- principled
- upright

## Related Forms
- rascal
- roguery

## Etymology
Formed in English from rascal and the adjective-forming suffix -y. Rascal originally denoted low-status people or the poorest deer in a herd before developing the senses 'dishonest person' and, more mildly, 'mischievous rogue.'

## Topics
- Describing Qualities
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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