Definition

Noun: 1. A deceitful and unreliable person; a scoundrel: A rogue is a person who behaves in a dishonest, immoral, or unprincipled way, often for their own gain. They are not to be trusted. 2. A mischievous person, especially a child: In a playful or less serious context, it can describe someone, often a child, who is playfully naughty or cheeky. 3. An animal that lives apart from the herd and is often dangerous: This refers to a wild animal, like an elephant or a buffalo, that lives alone and is known to be aggressive or destructive. 4. An inferior or defective plant: In agriculture, a plant that is weak, diseased, or does not meet the desired standard for cultivation.

Usage Examples

• Noun (scoundrel):
  • The businessman was exposed as a rogue who had cheated his investors.
  • He's a charming rogue, but you shouldn't lend him any money.
• Noun (mischievous person):
  • My little nephew is a lovable rogue, always getting into harmless trouble.
  • "You little rogue!" she said, laughing as the child hid her keys.
• Noun (animal):
  • Villagers were warned about a rogue elephant trampling crops on the outskirts of the forest.
• Noun (plant):
  • The gardener removed the rogues to ensure the purity of the crop.

Advanced Usage

• "To go rogue": To stop following orders, rules, or expected behavior and start acting independently, often in a dangerous or unpredictable way.
  • The secret agent went rogue and began operating outside the agency's control.
  • The software update caused the robot to go rogue and behave erratically.

Variants and Related Words

• Roguish (adjective): Having the characteristics of a rogue; mischievous or playfully dishonest.
  • He gave her a roguish smile.
• Roguery (noun): Dishonest or mischievous behavior.
  • The town was tired of his constant roguery.

Synonyms

• Scoundrel
• Rascal
• Villain
• Knave (archaic)
• Reprobate

Related Phrases

• Rogue state: A nation that does not obey international law or norms and is considered a threat.
  • The treaty aimed to prevent the spread of weapons to rogue states.
• Rogue trader: A financial trader who acts independently and makes unauthorized, risky deals that result in large losses.
  • The bank collapsed due to the actions of a single rogue trader.

Noun

1. a deceitful and unreliable scoundrel