shenanigan

noun

she·​nan·​i·​gan shə-ˈna-ni-gən 

1

: a devious trick used especially for an underhand purpose

2

a

: tricky or questionable practices or conduct

—usually used in plural

b

: high-spirited or mischievous activity

—usually used in plural

Did you know?

The history of shenanigan is as tricky and mischievous as its meaning. Etymologists have some theories about its origins, but no one has been able to prove them. All we can say for certain is that the earliest known uses of the word in print appeared in the mid-1800s. Although the "underhanded trick" sense of the word is oldest, the most common senses in use now are "tricky or questionable practices" (as in "political shenanigans") and "high-spirited behavior" (as in "youthful shenanigans").

Synonyms

• mischief
• misconduct

Examples of shenanigan in a Sentence

students engaging in youthful shenanigans on the last day of school

an act of vandalism that went way beyond the usual shenanigans at summer camp

Recent Examples on the Web

Rather, the predictability is what makes shenanigans possible. —Katie Yee july 25, Literary Hub, 25 July 2025

Absurd shenanigans are afoot, though the real joy is watching a delightful del Toro and refreshing Threapleton navigating an oddly heartfelt family reconnection. —Brian Truitt, USA Today, 25 July 2025

His previous troubles hinted at similar dishonesty as his Viagra shenanigans. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 20 July 2025

Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg may have set the bar high by trying to line up starry cameos and writing about real-life Hollywood shenanigans in The Studio, but their efforts paid off. —Lynette Rice, Deadline, 15 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for shenanigan

• brannigan

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