roguish

[roh-gish]

adjective

1. playfully mischievous.

   a roguish smile.

2. pertaining to, characteristic of, or acting like a rogue; knavish or unscrupulous.

roguish

/ ˈrəʊɡɪʃ /

adjective

1. dishonest or unprincipled

2. mischievous or arch

Other Word Forms

• roguishly adverb
• roguishness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of roguish¹

First recorded in 1565–75; rogue + -ish ¹

Example Sentences

The crime-fighting combo of a roguish guy and a no-nonsense gal is familiar from “Moonlighting” and “Castle.”

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When the soap started more than six decades ago, Lowrie's character was seen as a national heartthrob thanks to his roguish role.

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That’s not necessarily because judges have become more roguish, but because Trump has given them more to ponder.

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Dressed in a brown leather jacket, crisply pressed blue jeans and a cream-colored cowboy hat, he sticks out his hand and says, “I’m Charley with an –ey,” then flashes a roguish grin.

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Earlier, on the way into her village, we drove past a jodhpur-clad gent on a horse, who gave us a roguish, charming smile.

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Related Words

• devilish 
• impish 
• playful 
• sly