roguish
Americanadjective
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playfully mischievous.
a roguish smile.
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pertaining to, characteristic of, or acting like a rogue; knavish or unscrupulous.
adjective
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dishonest or unprincipled
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mischievous or arch
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of roguish
Explanation
To be roguish is to be up to no good, which could mean being untrustworthy like a criminal or playful and mischievous. If someone gives you a roguish smile, he’s totally flirting with you. You can't trust someone who acts roguish in the bad way, like the roguish crook who picks your pocket while telling you how lovely you look. On the other hand, you might like someone who acts roguish in the second sense, which means playfully mischievous. Being roguish in this way might mean playing pranks, telling racy jokes, and being a little wild. Roguish behavior like this can still be annoying, like if your roguish roommate at camp short-sheets your bed.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In “Sinners,” Coogler double-casts his longtime collaborator Michael B. Jordan as twin bootleggers Smoke and Stack, then pits them against a pack of banjo-picking bloodsuckers helmed by a roguish Jack O’Connell.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 5, 2025
When the soap started more than six decades ago, Lowrie's character was seen as a national heartthrob thanks to his roguish role.
From BBC • Apr. 26, 2025
For many casual viewers, “Star Wars” is the domain of familiar faces: the heroic Jedi Luke Skywalker, the nefarious Sith Lord Darth Vader, the roguish smuggler Han Solo and the tenacious Princess Leia.
From New York Times • Aug. 19, 2023
“He has boyish charm and likeability, that impish, roguish element to him,” Seymour said.
From Washington Times • May 31, 2023
“I was speaking to my Champion,” Dorian said with a roguish wink.
From "Throne of Glass" by Sarah J. Maas
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
