definitions

rakish

1
[ rey-kish ]
/ ˈreɪ kɪʃ /
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR rakish ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

like a rake; dissolute: rakish behavior.

RELATED WORDS

saucy, sporty, raffish, dashing, jaunty, profligate, abandoned, chic, debauched, depraved, devil-may-care, dissipated, dissolute, fashionable, fast, flashy, gay, lecherous, licentious, loose

Nearby words

raking, raking bond, raking cornice, raking course, raking piece, rakish, rakishly, raku, rakʿa, rale, raleigh

Origin of rakish

1
First recorded in 1700–10; rake2 + -ish1

Related forms

rak·ish·ly, adverbrak·ish·ness, noun

Definition for rakish (2 of 2)

rakish

2
[ rey-kish ]
/ ˈreɪ kɪʃ /

adjective

smart; jaunty; dashing: a hat worn at a rakish angle.
(of a vessel) having an appearance suggesting speed.

Origin of rakish

2
First recorded in 1815–25; rake3 + -ish1
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for rakish

British Dictionary definitions for rakish (1 of 2)

rakish

1
/ (ˈreɪkɪʃ) /

adjective

dissolute; profligate

Derived Forms

rakishly, adverbrakishness, noun

Word Origin for rakish

C18: from rake ² + -ish

British Dictionary definitions for rakish (2 of 2)

rakish

2
/ (ˈreɪkɪʃ) /

adjective

dashing; jauntya hat set at a rakish angle
nautical (of a ship or boat) having lines suggestive of speed

Word Origin for rakish

C19: probably from rake ³ (sense 1), with reference to the sloping masts of pirate ships
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012