rascally

/'rɑ:skəli/

Thân thiện

The rascally puppy stole a sock from the laundry basket.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Wicked, dishonest, or lacking moral principles: Describes a person or their actions as deceitful, unscrupulous, or villainous.
   • Playfully mischievous or bold: Describes behavior or an appearance that is appealingly naughty or cheeky in a charming way.

Usage and Examples

• Describing dishonest or unscrupulous character/actions:

  • The rascally merchant was known for selling faulty goods.
  • He was involved in a rascally scheme to cheat the investors.

• Describing playful, appealing mischief:

  • The child gave a rascally smile after hiding the toy.
  • She has a rascally sense of humor that everyone loves.

Advanced Usage

• "rascally" as an adverb (archaic/less common): In a rascally manner.
  • He behaved rascally, cheating at every turn.

Variants and Related Words

• Rascal (n): A person who is mischievous or dishonest.
  • That little rascal hid my keys again!
• Rascality (n): The quality or behavior of a rascal; mischievous or dishonest conduct.

Synonyms

• For dishonest meaning: Unscrupulous, roguish, villainous, knavish, scoundrelly.
• For playful meaning: Mischievous, impish, puckish, roguish, cheeky.

Idioms and Phrases

• No direct idioms use "rascally" as a standalone component. However, the related noun "rascal" appears in phrases like "a bit of a rascal" or "lovable rascal," describing someone whose mischievousness is seen as endearing.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. lacking principles or scruples
   • the rascally rabble
   • the tyranny of a scoundrelly aristocracy - W.M. Thackaray
   • the captain was set adrift by his roguish crew
2. playful in an appealingly bold way
   • a roguish grin

Từ đồng nghĩa

• roguish
• scoundrelly
• blackguardly
• devilish