View synonyms for raffish

raffish

[ raf-ish ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

mildly or sometimes engagingly disreputable or nonconformist:
a matinee idol whose raffish offstage behavior amused millions.
Synonyms: scampish, picaresque, devilish, rascally, prankish, waggish, roguish
gaudily vulgar or cheap; tawdry.
Synonyms: gimcrack, tinsel, cheap, tacky, vulgar, crass, inelegant, tasteless, loud, gaudy, garish, flamboyant, flashy, showy, tawdry
Antonyms: understated, reserved, quiet, plain, simple, high-class, classy, refined, elegant, tasteful

raffish

/ ˈræfɪʃ /

Origin of raffish¹

First recorded in 1795–1805; raff + -ish ¹

Origin of raffish¹

C19: see raff

Visiting him in his room at the raffish Chelsea Hotel, I noticed that there was a crumpled cigarette package under the bed.

If they could do that, need they ever have shot that raffish old lord—I beg pardon, my dear—your highly respected grandfather?

Although the raffish peer denied all complicity, he did not come out of the business too well.

I was getting as bad as Renner—looking lecherously at the raffish display of shapely leg as the blond bombshell beat it.

But the muslin curtains, tied back with raffish pink bows, had really worried her most of all.

Raffish party too, spy and conspirator persuasion, that sort of thing.

April 19, 2024tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Browse