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
Robert Ross, Robb Report, 30 Jan. 2026
While trying to stay under the radar, Sophie catches Benedict's attention, who is determined to leave his rakish past behind him.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
There’s young actress Stella Bradshaw, rakish director Meredith Potter, dashing lead P. L. O’Hara, and a whole lot of drama.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
Top 5 Can’t Miss Tequila here is made for sipping—at rakish cantinas, ambitious cocktail bars, and straight from the source on a distillery tour.
—David Shortell, Travel + Leisure, 28 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rakish
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 model was available as an elegant two-door sports saloon (slightly larger) or a more rakish two-door coupe.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 30 Jan. 2026
While trying to stay under the radar, Sophie catches Benedict's attention, who is determined to leave his rakish past behind him.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
There’s young actress Stella Bradshaw, rakish director Meredith Potter, dashing lead P. L. O’Hara, and a whole lot of drama.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
Top 5 Can’t Miss Tequila here is made for sipping—at rakish cantinas, ambitious cocktail bars, and straight from the source on a distillery tour.
—David Shortell, Travel + Leisure, 28 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rakish
Cite this Entry
“Rakish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rakish. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
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"
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
