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

“I have no idea what he’s talking about,” Carpenter says, halfway between self-deprecation and something more rascally.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

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.

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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.

Read more on Salon

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

Read more on 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.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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