What does rattish mean?
Rattish is an uncommon English adjective meaning ratlike or endowed with qualities traditionally associated with rats, especially meanness, furtiveness, or an unpleasant, suspicious manner. It can describe a person, expression, or action, but it is not a neutral zoological label for something that resembles a rat. In older literary usage, the word often suggested craftiness or contemptible character rather than merely physical appearance. Modern speakers are more likely to encounter it in dictionaries, historical prose, or deliberately formal or colorful writing than in ordinary conversation. Because rattish is uncommon, it is most effective where its strongly negative, traditional associations are intended: “a rattish smile” conveys unpleasant suspicion or cunning, not simply an animal-like grin. It should not be confused with ratty, a much more familiar word that can mean unkempt, shabby, or irritable. Knowing rattish adds a compact, old-fashioned way to describe something furtive or contemptibly ratlike without using a longer explanation.
adjectiveHaving the qualities stereotypically associated with a rat, especially being furtive, surly, or contemptible.
- Having qualities traditionally associated with rats, especially meanness, furtiveness, or contemptibility.
"He regarded the lawyer's rattish smile with understandable suspicion."
"The accused maintained that the witness had spoken from a purely rattish motive."
"Her rattish expression made the stranger reconsider approaching the house."
Rattish delivers an old-fashioned, withering judgment in just one syllable-packed word.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does rattish come from?
Rattish is an English formation built from rat and the suffix -ish, which expresses resemblance or the possession of a characteristic quality. It therefore developed with the broad sense “ratlike” before becoming associated especially with the negative qualities stereotypically attributed to rats. The noun rat has Germanic roots and is cognate with German Ratte and Dutch rat; the derivative rattish is characteristically English.
Related word forms
How rattish is actually used
Rattish is uncommon and has a strongly negative, somewhat literary or archaic tone. It is more likely to occur in historical prose or deliberately formal writing than in everyday conversation.
Easily confused with rattish
Rattish means ratlike or furtive in the stereotypical sense associated with rats, whereas ratty more commonly means shabby, unkempt, or irritable.