rakish

¹

[ rey-kish ]

adjective

1. like a rake; dissolute:

   rakish behavior.

rakish

²

[ rey-kish ]

adjective

1. smart; jaunty; dashing:

   a hat worn at a rakish angle.

   Synonyms: breezy, debonair, dapper, sporting

2. (of a vessel) having an appearance suggesting speed.

rakish

¹

/ ˈreɪkɪʃ /

adjective

1. dissolute; profligate

rakish

²

/ ˈreɪkɪʃ /

adjective

1. dashing; jaunty

   a hat set at a rakish angle

2. nautical (of a ship or boat) having lines suggestive of speed

Derived Forms

• ˈrakishly, adverb
• ˈrakishness, noun

Other Words From

• rakish·ly adverb
• rakish·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of rakish¹

First recorded in 1700–10; rake ² + -ish ¹

Origin of rakish²

First recorded in 1815–25; rake ³ + -ish ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of rakish¹

C18: from rake ² + -ish

Origin of rakish²

C19: probably from rake ³ (sense 1), with reference to the sloping masts of pirate ships

Example Sentences

With a rendition of Frank Sinatra’s jaunty “Fly Me to the Moon,” Payne showed off his immaculate pitch and rich vocal tone, and a rakish presence beyond his years.

From Los Angeles Times

He's been experimenting by trying to cast himself as a rakish outlaw.

From Salon

The nightlife of Russia’s elite has long been famously rakish but a recent party crossed an invisible line and provoked a public scandal.

From Washington Times

Mark, your role in “Poor Things”: rakish, caddish, pretty much everything bad.

From Los Angeles Times

Use words like “exploited the system” and you could be describing a rakish con man or a revolutionary.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dashing
• jaunty
• profligate
• raffish
• saucy
• sporty