Meaning & use
scallywag
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountableinformalold-fashioned
A person who behaves playfully badly or dishonestly, often said with mild affection.
Grammar: Countable; plural is 'scallywags'. Often used with 'little' or 'old' to sound fond.
Patterns
- a little scallywag
- an old scallywag
The little scallywag hid his sister's shoes.
He's a charming scallywag, always joking around.
nouncountableinformaldisapproving
A dishonest or untrustworthy person, especially one involved in minor wrongdoing.
Grammar: Countable; can be used seriously or jokingly.
Patterns
- a scallywag
- the scallywags
The scallywag cheated at cards.
Don't trust that scallywag with your money.
Word forms
| plural | scallywags |
|---|
Common combinations
- little scallywag
- That little scallywag has been up to mischief again.
- old scallywag
- Her grandfather was an old scallywag who loved practical jokes.
- a bit of a scallywag
- He's a bit of a scallywag, but everyone likes him.
Synonyms and how they differ
Word family
- scally noun
- A British informal word for a mischievous or troublesome young person.
Commonly confused: scallywag or scally?
scallywag vs scally
'Scally' is more British and often more disapproving; 'scallywag' is usually playful and can be affectionate.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'scallywag' most naturally?
Choose one answer.
'Scallywag' is a person who behaves playfully badly or dishonestly. It is not an object or an animal.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “scallywag”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.