rascal

American  

[ras-kuhl] / ˈræs kəl /

noun

1. a base, dishonest, or unscrupulous person.

   Synonyms:

   scapegrace, miscreant, villain, scamp, rapscallion

2. a mischievous person or animal.

   That child is a real rascal.

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rascal British  

/ ˈrɑːskəl /

noun

1. a disreputable person; villain

2. a mischievous or impish rogue

3. an affectionate or mildly reproving term for a child or old man

   you little rascal

   the wicked old rascal kissed her

4. obsolete a person of lowly birth

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adjective

1. obsolete (prenominal)

   1. belonging to the mob or rabble

   2. dishonest; knavish

Related Words

See knave.

Other Word Forms

• rascallike adjective

Etymology

Origin of rascal

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English rascaile, raskaille, from Old French rascaille “rabble”; perhaps akin to rash ²

Example Sentences

At thirteen he was a musical prodigy and a rascal and the pride of my life.

From Literature

The question Mr. Junod explores is whether his father was a scoundrel or merely a rascal.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Get out, you little rascal. There’s nothing in here for you to steal.”

From Literature

Right now, the rascal in him slumbers, briefly glimpsed now and again behind dark shades.

From Los Angeles Times

The years just seemed to roll right off them, and I watched transfixed as they laughed like rascals and raced each other, then swam leisurely back to the bank.

From Literature

Related Words

• bum
• liar
• scoundrel
• swindler
• wretch