rakish

¹

[rey-kish]

adjective

1. like a rake; dissolute.

   rakish behavior.

rakish

²

[rey-kish]

adjective

1. smart; jaunty; dashing.

   a hat worn at a rakish angle.

   Synonyms: breezy, debonair, dapper, sporting

2. (of a vessel) having an appearance suggesting speed.

rakish

¹

/ ˈreɪkɪʃ /

adjective

1. dashing; jaunty

   a hat set at a rakish angle

2. nautical (of a ship or boat) having lines suggestive of speed

rakish

²

/ ˈreɪkɪʃ /

adjective

1. dissolute; profligate

Other Word Forms

• rakishly adverb
• rakishness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of rakish¹

First recorded in 1700–10; rake ² + -ish ¹

Origin of rakish²

First recorded in 1815–25; rake ³ + -ish ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of rakish¹

C19: probably from _rake ³ (sense 1), with reference to the sloping masts of pirate ships

Origin of rakish²

C18: from _rake ² + _-ish

Example Sentences

“Lion’s” rakish narcissist Dad is based on Walger’s father, who divorced her mother when Walger was young and thereafter kept his life at arm’s length even as his daughter longed to bridge the gap.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

With a rendition of Frank Sinatra’s jaunty “Fly Me to the Moon,” Payne showed off his immaculate pitch and rich vocal tone, and a rakish presence beyond his years.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He's been experimenting by trying to cast himself as a rakish outlaw.

Read more on Salon

The nightlife of Russia’s elite has long been famously rakish but a recent party crossed an invisible line and provoked a public scandal.

Read more on Washington Times

Mark, your role in “Poor Things”: rakish, caddish, pretty much everything bad.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dashing 
• jaunty 
• profligate 
• raffish 
• saucy 
• sporty