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

• devilishness
• devilment
• devilry
• deviltry
• diablerie
• espièglerie
• hob
• impishness
• knavery
• mischief
• mischievousness
• rascality
• roguery
• roguishness
• waggery
• waggishness
• wickedness

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

Released from captivity in the opening scene, Willie goes on a murderous rampage over the rest of the film, dancing and snickering after each of his shenanigans. —Peter Debruge, Variety, 3 Apr. 2025

Maybe our statewide paper should cover in depth more of these shenanigans. —arkansasonline.com, 18 Mar. 2025

As for owners standing up to such shenanigans, Pat Riley did just that with the three unpaid suspensions. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2025

These habits mark an evolution for the artist whose rise over the last few years was marked by social media posts often depicting drunken shenanigans. —Katie Bain, Billboard, 10 Mar. 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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