Raffish — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈra-fish/ raff·ish

Meaning & Definition of Raffish

Raffish (adjective)

  1. marked by or suggestive of flashy vulgarity or crudeness
  2. marked by a careless unconventionality, rakish

Raffish (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. lacking in refinement or good taste

    "the dowager cringed at the thought of raffish tourists in rough boots tromping all over her Persian rugs"

    similar: coarse, common, crass, crude, gross, ill-bred, illiberal (archaic), incult, insensible, low, lowbred, lowbrow, rough, rough-hewn, roughneck, rude, rugged, tasteless, uncouth, uncultivated, uncultured, unpolished, unrefined, vulgar
    related: boorish, churlish, cloddish, clownish, loutish, ungentlemanly, clumsy, lubberly, lumpish, oafish, inconsiderate, indelicate, insensitive, thoughtless, countrified, provincial, rustic, unsophisticated, graceless, inelegant, tacky, animallike, barbaric, barbarous, uncivilized, mannerless, unmannered, unmannerly
    opposite: civilized, cultivated, cultured, genteel, polished, refined, smooth, tasteful, ultrarefined, well-bred
    near: aristocratic, courtly, patrician, elegant, graceful, restrained, considerate, gracious, sensitive, thoughtful, citified, sophisticated, urbane

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Raffish

The most common words with a similar meaning to Raffish:

Archaic: illiberal
coarse, common, crass, crude, gross, ill-bred, incult, insensible, low, lowbred, lowbrow, rough, rough-hewn, roughneck, rude, rugged, tasteless, uncouth, uncultivated, uncultured, unpolished, unrefined, vulgar

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Raffish

Words with the opposite meaning of Raffish:

civilized, cultivated, cultured, genteel, polished, refined, smooth, tasteful, ultrarefined, well-bred

Related Words for Raffish

boorish, churlish, cloddish, clownish, loutish, ungentlemanly, clumsy, lubberly, lumpish, oafish, inconsiderate, indelicate, insensitive, thoughtless, countrified, provincial, rustic, unsophisticated, graceless, inelegant, tacky, animallike, barbaric, barbarous, uncivilized, mannerless, unmannered, unmannerly

Near Antonyms of Raffish

aristocratic, courtly, patrician, elegant, graceful, restrained, considerate, gracious, sensitive, thoughtful, citified, sophisticated, urbane

Word Forms of Raffish

Derived words: raffishly (adverb), raffishness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Raffish

First known use: 1795

Frequently Asked Questions about Raffish

What does "Raffish" mean?

"Raffish" means marked by or suggestive of flashy vulgarity or crudeness. As an adjective, it is defined as: marked by or suggestive of flashy vulgarity or crudeness.

What is another word for "Raffish"?

Other words for "Raffish" include coarse, common, crass, crude, gross, ill-bred, illiberal and incult. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Raffish" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Raffish"?

There are 52 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Raffish". Common alternatives include coarse, common, crass, crude, gross, ill-bred, illiberal, incult, insensible and low.

What is the opposite of "Raffish"?

Antonyms of "Raffish" include civilized, cultivated, cultured, genteel, polished, refined, smooth and tasteful. Near antonyms include aristocratic, courtly, patrician and elegant.

How do you use "Raffish" in a sentence?

Examples of "Raffish" in a sentence: "the dowager cringed at the thought of raffish tourists in rough boots tromping all over her Persian rugs".

Is "Raffish" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Raffish" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Raffish"?

"Raffish" is pronounced /ˈra-fish/ and divided into syllables as raff·ish.

What is the origin of the word "Raffish"?

First known use: 1795.