WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026ras•cal /ˈræskəl/USA pronunciation
n. [countable]
- a dishonest person.
- a mischievous person or animal.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026ras•cal
(ras′kəl),USA pronunciation n.
- a base, dishonest, or unscrupulous person.
- a mischievous person or animal:That child is a real rascal.
- Old French rascaille rabble; perh. akin to rash2
- Middle English rascaile, raskaille 1300–50
ras′cal•like′, adj.
1. rapscallion, scamp, villain, miscreant, scapegrace. See knave.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
rascal /ˈrɑːskəl/ n - a disreputable person; villain
- a mischievous or impish rogue
- an affectionate or mildly reproving term for a child or man: you little rascal, the wicked rascal kissed me
- obsolete a person of lowly birth
adj - (prenominal) obsolete
- belonging to the mob or rabble
- dishonest; knavish
Etymology: 14th Century: from Old French rascaille rabble, perhaps from Old Norman French rasque mud, filth
'rascal' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):