Skip to main content
rascally

rascally

1 6.8
Playful and mildly naughty in a way that makes people laugh
  • adjective
  • /ˈræskəli/
  • Informal
translation icon : travieso
  • Those rascally kids always find a way to make trouble during recess.
  • rascally rabbits
  • rascally fellow
  • rascally young

Examples

  • 31st or 32nd, I think, but at least the stereotypical conniving Arab had company in the form of a planet full of stereotypical submissive Protestant Scotsmen and a planet full of rascally rebellious Irish.

    Blog text (16)
  • They started out selfish... those rascally brothers... but made Christmas magic by thinking of others.

  • Get out, and follow them rascally friends of yours.

  • I can always count on you to deliver, you little rascally devil.

  • And he said, oh, that that rascally Conan.

  • That Shrek is a rascally devil.

  • What a rascally cutie!

    Blog text (12)
  • I had always been the family pip-squeak, rascally, pigeon-toed, with a shrill laugh like a tea kettle hitting a boil.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • Rascally moleques truly had been transformed into dangerous meninos de rua (street children).

    Academic text (1997)
  • The rascally puppy playfully tugged at my shoelaces, making everyone laugh.

Synonyms

saucy
vsrascally
  • Informal
21 5.8

Being playful and a little rude in a way that teases people

is more playful without the disrespectful or rude edge
mischievous
vsrascally
19 3.5

Causing playful trouble that is not harmful

is more boldly impish and often enjoys a charming tone
devilish
vsrascally
17 4.4

Being very naughty in a playful, clever way

is gentler and more appealing rather than actually wicked
roguish
vsrascally
3 6.7

Showing playful, friendly mischief

is more boldly impish while remaining harmless and appealing
pranky
vsrascally
  • Informal
1 7.7

Shows playful energy and plays small tricks to surprise people

is more about impish charm than focused prank behaviour
scampish
vsrascally
6.3

Acting playful and slightly naughty, often doing small harmless tricks

is more boldly impish and often clearly harmless and appealing
corky
vsrascally
7.0

Lively and slightly odd in a way that makes people smile

is more about mischievous playfulness than quirky oddness

Antonyms

452 1.4

Calm and focused, not playful or joking

How Mischievous

rascally
  • Informal
1 6.8
roguish
3 6.7
impish
6 6.1
cheeky
  • Informal
33 4.8
playful
79 1.6

Surface Forms

rascally positive

Morphology

rascally = rascal (transparent) = rascal + ly

Formed by adding the adjectival suffix '-ly' to 'rascal', producing 'characteristic of a rascal'.

Etymology

Rascally comes from rascal, which once meant a rogue or member of the 'rabble' in Old French. Over time the idea softened, so rascally often describes playful, naughty behavior that is more charming than harmful.