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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
The Vanquish cuts a rakish profile that is underscored by a wheelbase that is 3.1 inches longer than that of the DBS, which was Aston’s most recent V12 model in the Vanquish’s grand touring class. Dan Carney, Popular Science, 7 Nov. 2024 In 2003, Pickford entered into an agreement with John Rose, a rakish businessman and treasure hunter from Great Yarmouth who wanted to find the Gloucester. Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024 Its rakish style had a lot to do with the model’s critical acclaim, and the Speedster, derived from a Duesenberg show car, was a hit from the start. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 23 Sep. 2024 Lula Rose General Store Their take on the classic egg, bacon and cheese sandwich gets a slightly rakish upgrade at this Congress Park coffee shop when served on a buttery brioche bun. Alayna Alvarez, Axios, 13 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for rakish 

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 17 Dec. 2024.

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"

More from Merriam-Webster on rakish

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