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Synonyms

roguish

American  
[roh-gish] / ˈroʊ gɪʃ /

adjective

  1. playfully mischievous.

    a roguish smile.

  2. pertaining to, characteristic of, or acting like a rogue; knavish or unscrupulous.

roguish British  
/ ˈrəʊɡɪʃ /

adjective

  1. dishonest or unprincipled

  2. mischievous or arch

"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

Other Word Forms

  • roguishly adverb
  • roguishness noun

Etymology

Origin of roguish

First recorded in 1565–75; rogue + -ish 1

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.

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

Some rap fans see West as a roguish outlaw who beat cancel culture.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 2024

On the small screen, he was the roguish Titus Pullo in “Rome,” a role that really got his career going in the United States and got him a SAG card, at the age of 44.

From Washington Times • May 22, 2023

Levi boasts a dopey, roguish charm associated more with Super Bowl beer commercials than super-tights.

From New York Times • Mar. 16, 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.