rascal

[ ras-kuhl ]

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.

rascal

/ 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

adjective

1. obsolete.
   prenominal
   1. belonging to the mob or rabble
   2. dishonest; knavish

Other Words From

• rascal·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rascal¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of rascal¹

C14: from Old French rascaille rabble, perhaps from Old Norman French rasque mud, filth

Synonym Study

See knave.

Example Sentences

Sure he had his faults, but to his adoring fans that just made him a lovable rascal.

From Los Angeles Times

What was Disney, of all studios, going to do with this hyperviolent rascal who only works blue?

From Los Angeles Times

“That rascal Hairy Junior stole my root! These kids retrieved it for me.”

From Literature

That spirit came through in the show’s rascal of a main character and spilled into living rooms all over the country.

From Los Angeles Times

“Giving time to kids is precious and mandatory today. Like it or not like it, but these rascals go through a whole lot of pressures today that we never had before.”

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• bum
• liar
• scoundrel
• swindler
• wretch