rakish

UK: /ˈreɪkɪʃ/ US: /ˈreɪkɪʃ/ ,(rā′kish)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

rak•ish¹ /ˈreɪkɪʃ/   adj. 

1. like a rake;
   too interested in a wild life of heavy drinking and sexual affairs.

rak•ish•ly, adv. 
rak•ish•ness, n. [uncountable]

rak•ish² /ˈreɪkɪʃ/   adj. 

1. smart;
   dashing:
   a rakish hat.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

rak•ish¹  (rā′kish), adj. 

1. like a rake;
   dissolute:
   rakish behavior.

• rake² + -ish¹ 1700–10

rak′ish•ly, adv. 
rak′ish•ness, n. 

rak•ish²  (rā′kish), adj. 

1. smart;
   jaunty;
   dashing:
   a hat worn at a rakish angle.
2. (of a vessel) having an appearance suggesting speed.

• rake³ + -ish¹ 1815–25

Synonyms

• 1. . sporting, dapper, debonair, breezy.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

rakish / ˈreɪkɪʃ/ adjective

1. dissolute; profligate
2. dashing; jaunty: rakish charm, a hat set at a rakish angle

Etymology: 18th Century: from rake² + -ish

ˈrakishly adverb

ˈrakishness noun

rakish / ˈreɪkɪʃ/ adjective

1. (of a ship or boat) having lines suggestive of speed