rakish

1 of 2

adjective (1)

rak·​ish ˈrā-kish 

: 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

Synonyms of rakish

Adjective (1)

• corrupt
• degraded
• sick
• dissolute
• crooked
• decadent

Examples of rakish in a Sentence

Adjective (1)

within a few short years their rakish son had squandered the family fortune on hard liquor and fast cars

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The Cayenne Coupe, meanwhile, is a slightly more rakish version of the brand’s first SUV. — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 14 July 2026

Like playwright Annie Baker’s warm, lush first feature, The Children’s Bach spins around a dreamy mother whose life is rattled by the appearance of a rakish rogue. — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 2 July 2026

Watching their relationship devolve (never more so than when their sperm donor, a rakish, motorcycle-driving restaurant owner played by Mark Ruffalo, enters the scene) is most definitely a tear-jerking experience, as is the film’s final scene. — Liam Hess, Vogue, 28 June 2026

He is lured by the sound of music down a Montmartre street to Nicholas de Lenfent (Joseph Potter), an old friend from his village who has grown up to be a talented violinist and rakish twink. — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 22 June 2026

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

Phrases Containing rakish

• rakish angle

Kids Definition

rakish

1 of 2 adjective

rak·​ish ˈrā-kish 

: 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"