scalawag

noun

scal·a·wag | \ ˈska-li-ˌwag

How to pronounce scalawag (audio)

\

variants: or scallywag

Definition of scalawag

1 : scamp, reprobate

2 : a white Southerner acting in support of the reconstruction governments after the American Civil War often for private gain

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about scalawag

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of scalawag in a Sentence

a scalawag who had taken to begging on street corners while posing as a blind person

Recent Examples on the Web

Salvatore Lodi made his debut as Little Mouse, while Kellan Hayag was a floppy-haired, scampering scalawag Fritz. — Laura Bleiberg, latimes.com, "ABT's 'Nutcracker,' a new classic worth watching over and over (and over)," 11 Dec. 2017 Back on their own ship, the scalawags must decide how to divvy up the booty. — Jay Bennett, Popular Mechanics, "Riddle of the Week #17: The Pirates and Their Booty," 23 Feb. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'scalawag.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for scalawag

scalawag

noun

English Language Learners Definition of scalawag

informal + somewhat old-fashioned : a usually young person who causes trouble

See the full definition for scalawag in the English Language Learners Dictionary

scalawag

noun

scal·a·wag

variants: or scallywag \ ˈska-li-ˌwag \

Kids Definition of scalawag

: rascal sense 1

Keep scrolling for more

WORD OF THE DAY

supersede

to take the place or position of

Test Your Vocabulary

Words for Summer: A Quiz

Which of the following words means “of or relating to summer”?

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ

Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ