Standard Lemma guide

knavish

adj · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • General-American: /ˈneɪvɪʃ/
  • rhymes with -eɪvɪʃ

1

adj

Meaning 1

Having the characteristics of a knave; mischievous, roguish, waggish, rascally or impertinent.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adjective satellite

Meaning 2

marked by skill in deception

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • cunning men often pass for wise
  • deep political machinations
  • a foxy scheme
  • a slick evasive answer
  • sly as a fox
  • tricky Dick
  • a wily old attorney

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: crafty, cunning, dodgy, foxy, guileful, slick, sly, tricksy, tricky, wily

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From Middle English knavych, knavyssh; equivalent to knave + -ish.

Across languages

Translations

2 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Ancient Greek: πανοῦργος (panoûrgos) — having the characteristics of a knave
  • Ancient Greek: γλοιός (gloiós) — having the characteristics of a knave