rascally

[ras-kuh-lee]

adjective

1. being, characteristic of, or befitting a rascal.

adverb

1. in a rascally manner.

rascally

/ ˈrɑːskəlɪ /

adjective

1. dishonest or mean; base

2. archaic,  (esp of places) wretchedly unpleasant; miserable

adverb

1. in a dishonest or mean fashion

Word History and Origins

Origin of rascally¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; rascal + -ly

Example Sentences

Our brains know a cartoon isn’t real — be it a rascally rabbit, a culinary rat or a dragon with the same sheen as salt licorice — and yet our hearts gift it with life.

From Los Angeles Times

Those rascally, backbench Tea Party/Freedom Caucus ideologues finally got the leader they've been waiting for and his name is Elon Musk, the richest man in the world.

From Salon

Bertha starts backing up, and Junior flashes a rascally grin from the door.

From Literature

Her depictions of their habits and foibles are laced with considerable wit — and subjective assessments: “rascally” California scrub jays, “voracious” Townsend’s warblers, “solitary nonconformist” hermit thrushes, murderous crows, fiercely competitive hummingbirds.

From Los Angeles Times

The classic cartoon stars the beloved mascot as the whistling, rascally pilot of a steamboat floating down a river.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bawdy 
• coarse 
• foul-mouthed 
• lewd 
• naughty 
• off-color 
• racy 
• rude 
• sly