rakish

1 of 2

adjective (1)

rak·​ish ˈrā-kish How to pronounce rakish (audio)
: of, relating to, or characteristic of a rake : dissolute

rakish

2 of 2

adjective (2)

1
: having a trim or streamlined appearance suggestive of speed
a rakish ship
2
: dashingly or carelessly unconventional : jaunty
rakish clothes

Examples of rakish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
And not just any ordinary shoes: This was a gleaming, rakish set of Maison Margiela Tabis, notable for their signature cleft toe and retailing for $990 before tax. Amy X. Wang, New York Times, 26 Sep. 2023 The rakish law man would chase a baddie across Kentucky back roads and trailer parks. Stephen Rodrick, Variety, 17 July 2023 The side profile teased a sharp angles and a rakish roofline, with a small Lexus badge located above the rear wheel arch. Eric Stafford, Car and Driver, 8 Apr. 2023 No matter how outrageous Indy’s trouble, Ford’s persona and outwardly effortless charm — and his ability to drop that rakish smile for something darker, meaner, even threatening — have kept the character tethered to the real world of feelings and consequences. Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2023 Changes for 2024 The 2024 model year brings mild revisions to the GLE53 and GLE63 S—both those with the traditional SUV profile and those with the almost-a-coupe body style with a rakish backlight. Andrew Wendler, Car and Driver, 19 Apr. 2023 Her intelligence, beauty, bravery and madcap fabulousness inevitably spark romantic interest from detectives Pablo (Gorka Otxoa, sweet) and Andrés (Álex García, rakish). Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2023 Her intelligence, beauty, bravery and madcap fabulousness inevitably spark romantic interest from detectives Pablo (Gorka Otxoa, sweet) and Andrés (Alex Garcia, rakish). Los Angeles Times Staff, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2023 The New York couple who asked him to reimagine their weekend house in Millbrook, a horsey enclave two hours north of New York City, has long been on board with Netto’s rakish élan. Howard Christian, ELLE Decor, 24 May 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rakish.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective (1)

rake entry 5

Adjective (2)

probably from rake entry 4; from the raking masts of pirate ships

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

1696, in the meaning defined above

Adjective (2)

1824, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rakish was in 1696

Dictionary Entries Near rakish

Cite this Entry

“Rakish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rakish. Accessed 2 Oct. 2023.

Kids Definition

rakish

1 of 2 adjective
rak·​ish ˈrā-kish How to pronounce rakish (audio)
: of or resembling that of a rake : dissolute
rakishly adverb
rakishness noun

rakish

2 of 2 adjective
1
: having a trim or streamlined look that suggests speed
a rakish ship
a rakish sports car
2
: jaunty, dashing
rakish clothes
rakishly adverb
rakishness noun
Etymology

Adjective

from rake "libertine"

Adjective

from earlier rake "the amount of slope or lean of a ship's mast or the amount of overhang of a ship's bow"

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