scapegrace

[ skeyp-greys ]

/ ˈskeɪpˌgreɪs /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR scapegrace ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a complete rogue or rascal; a habitually unscrupulous person; scamp.

Nearby words

scapa flow, scape, scape wheel, scapegoat, scapegoatism, scapegrace, scapewheel, scapha, scapho-, scaphocephalic, scaphocephaly

Origin of scapegrace

First recorded in 1800–10; scape² + grace

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for scapegrace

A fascinating trait of his character is the dash of scapegrace with which it is seasoned.
The Complete Opera Book|Gustav Kobb
This made a good impression; evidently the scapegrace had taken thought, and turned aside from his evil ways.
Mothwise|Knut Hamsun
Of a scapegrace it is said he is past grace like a limeburner's brogue (shoe).
English As We Speak It in Ireland|P. W. Joyce
Yes they can, aunt, if she married a man whom she knew to be a scapegrace because he was very rich and an earl.
Can You Forgive Her?|Anthony Trollope

Sir George in a corner is buttonholing Frederic and saddening him with last accounts of the Scapegrace.
April's Lady|Margaret Wolfe Hungerford

British Dictionary definitions for scapegrace

scapegrace

/ (ˈskeɪpˌɡreɪs) /

noun

an idle mischievous person

Word Origin for scapegrace

C19: from scape ² + grace, alluding to a person who lacks God's grace

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

scapegrace

noun

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of scapegrace

Examples from the Web for scapegrace

British Dictionary definitions for scapegrace

scapegrace

noun

Word Origin for scapegrace