knavish

[ ney-vish ]

adjective

1. like or befitting a knave; untrustworthy; dishonest.
2. Archaic. waggish; roguish; mischievous.

Other Words From

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of knavish¹

First recorded in 1350–1400, knavish is from the Middle English word knavyssh. See knave, -ish ¹

Example Sentences

Describing Sandy, Jefferson noted, “He is greatly addicted to drink, and when drunk is insolent and disorderly, in his conversation he swears much, and in his behavior is artful and knavish.”

From Literature

Jess is direct but guarded when it comes to her life, and John is pretentious and calculating, though he gets Jess to open up with his knavish charm.

From New York Times

At one point Mobius freezes the footage to analyze Loki's knavish grin so he can see what everybody else sees, which is someone who delights in others' agony.

From Salon

Teacher of strange ways is Love, that knavish boy, maker of mischief.

From Literature

Which shrewd and knavish sprites devised the Faerie Kebabs, each one a toothpick jammed into an olive, a mushroom and a dried apricot?

From New York Times