What does roguishly mean?
Roguishly is an adverb describing behavior that is playfully mischievous, cheeky, or slightly disreputable. Its characteristic tone comes from the idea of a rogue: someone unconventional, impudent, or inclined toward wrongdoing, although modern usage often emphasizes the humor and charm of such behavior rather than actual criminality. A person can smile, grin, or tease roguishly, and writers use the word to create a knowing, teasing atmosphere, especially in fiction and historical description. The adverb can also carry a harsher implication, suggesting conduct that is dishonest or unscrupulous rather than merely playful. Context largely determines which reading is intended. Compared with “mischievously,” “roguishly” tends to add a note of impudence and social daring; compared with “dishonestly,” it can be more lighthearted and literary. It is especially useful when an author wants to suggest that a character is enjoying a mildly improper or unconventional maneuver.
adverbIn a roguish manner; with playful, cheeky, or mischievous behavior traditionally associated with a rogue. It can also describe behavior marked by dishonesty or lack of scruple.
- Playfully or mischievously, with cheeky or impudent behavior.
- In a dishonest, unscrupulous, or disreputable manner.
"He smiled roguishly as he slipped the key into his pocket."
"The mischievous boy grinned roguishly before running away."
"The broker proceeded roguishly, concealing the conflict of interest from investors."
Roguishly is the literary way to say that a wink is not innocent—though the wink may be.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does roguishly come from?
Roguishly is an English adverb formed from rogue with the suffix -ish and the adverbial ending -ly. Rogue has long denoted a dishonest or unprincipled person, while roguish developed the related sense of jaunty, playful impudence. The related forms roguer, roguery, and rogueship share the same historical root.
Related word forms
How roguishly is actually used
This is a literary and somewhat old-fashioned word, especially common in fiction and historical description. Its modern use often emphasizes playful cheekiness, while in more disapproving contexts it can imply dishonesty or moral laxity.
Easily confused with roguishly
Roguishly is an adverb describing manner, whereas rogue is a noun for an unprincipled or mischievous person.