Definition

Adjective: 1. Lacking principles or scruples; behaving in a dishonest, mischievous, or unprincipled way. 2. Playful in an appealingly bold, mischievous, or saucy manner.

Usage

The word "roguish" describes a person or their behavior/expression. It can carry a negative connotation of dishonesty or a positive, charming connotation of playful mischief. The intended meaning is often clarified by context.

Examples

• He gave her a roguish wink, hinting at a shared secret. (Here, "roguish" implies charming, playful boldness.)
• The novel's hero is a roguish adventurer who often bends the rules. (This suggests a charming lack of scruples.)
• The roguish crew plotted to mutiny against the captain. (This emphasizes a dishonest, unprincipled nature.)
• She had a roguish sense of humor that both delighted and exasperated her friends. (This describes appealingly mischievous playfulness.)

Advanced Usage

• "Roguish charm": A common phrase describing an attractive quality that stems from a mischievous or slightly disreputable character.
  • Despite his reputation, he disarmed critics with his roguish charm.

Variants and Related Words

• Rogue (n): A dishonest or unprincipled person; a playful, mischievous person. This is the noun from which "roguish" is derived.
• Roguishly (adv): In a roguish manner.
  • He smiled roguishly.
• Roguishness (n): The quality of being roguish.

Synonyms

• For the dishonest meaning: Unprincipled, rascally, scoundrelly, knavish, deceitful.
• For the playful meaning: Mischievous, impish, playful, sly, saucy, arch.

Idioms and Phrases

While not a standalone idiom, "roguish" frequently appears in the set phrase "roguish grin/smile/wink" to describe an expression that is knowingly playful, cheeky, or suggestive of shared mischief.

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