# raffish

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ˈɹæfɪʃ/

## Definitions
1. Characterized by careless unconventionality; rakish.
2. Low-class; disreputable; vulgar.

## Etymology
From late 18th century raff (“persons among the lowest class in society”) + -ish, still retained in contemporary English with riffraff. From Old French raffer (“to wear away”), of Germanic origin. Compare German raffen. Compare rip (“to tear”), rap (“to snatch”).

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/raffish