Roguish is a word that describes someone who is dishonest or mischievous in a playful way. The spelling of this word can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) phonetic transcription as /ˈrəʊɡɪʃ/ where the first syllable is pronounced like the word "row" with a short "o" sound, the second syllable has a short "i" sound like in the word "pit" and the final syllable has a soft "sh" sound like in the word "wish". It is an interesting word to use to describe someone who has a mischievous side.
The adjective "roguish" refers to a mischievous, playful, or whimsical character or behavior typically associated with a rogue or a cunning and deceitful person. It describes someone who possesses traits or engages in activities that display a clever, adventurous, yet somewhat unscrupulous nature.
A roguish individual is often charming and charismatic, and their actions may be marked by a sense of audacity or a devil-may-care attitude. They display a knack for getting into various entertaining or daring escapades, embracing a carefree lifestyle that can sometimes border on recklessness. Such behavior is often characterized by wit, slyness, and often involves manipulating others for personal gain or amusement. This can include engaging in playful mischief, swindling or outwitting others through clever schemes, or participating in daring adventures with an air of cunning resourcefulness.
While "roguish" often carries a negative connotation due to its association with dishonest or shady activities, it is also used to describe individuals who possess a certain charm or appeal despite their unscrupulous behavior. This term encapsulates a mix of audacity, trickery, wit, and adventure, allowing for a broader interpretation depending on the context in which it is used.
Overall, "roguish" portrays individuals with an adventurous spirit, shrewdness, and a penchant for mischief or deception, often lending an entertaining or intriguing aspect to their character or actions.
Fraudulent; dishonest; waggish; slightly mischievous.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "roguish" is derived from the Old English term "rogue", which originally referred to a vagabond or a dishonest and unprincipled person. The Old English word can be traced back to the Old Norse word "hrokkr", meaning "someone who wanders about". Over time, "rogue" came to describe a mischievous or deceitful individual. The suffix "-ish" is added to "rogue" to create the adjective "roguish", indicating the character of being like or having the qualities of a rogue.