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scapegrace

[ skeyp-greys ]

/ ˈskeɪpˌgreɪs /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR scapegrace ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a complete rogue or rascal; a habitually unscrupulous person; scamp.

Origin of scapegrace

First recorded in 1800–10; scape² + grace

Words nearby scapegrace

scapa flow, scape, scape wheel, scapegoat, scapegoatism, scapegrace, scapewheel, scapha, scapho-, scaphocephalic, scaphocephaly

Example sentences from the Web for scapegrace

A fascinating trait of his character is the dash of scapegrace with which it is seasoned.

The Complete Opera Book |Gustav Kobb
This made a good impression; evidently the scapegrace had taken thought, and turned aside from his evil ways.

Mothwise |Knut Hamsun
Of a scapegrace it is said he is past grace like a limeburner's brogue (shoe).

English As We Speak It in Ireland |P. W. Joyce
Yes they can, aunt, if she married a man whom she knew to be a scapegrace because he was very rich and an earl.

Can You Forgive Her? |Anthony Trollope

Sir George in a corner is buttonholing Frederic and saddening him with last accounts of the Scapegrace.

April's Lady |Margaret Wolfe Hungerford

British Dictionary definitions for scapegrace

scapegrace

/ (ˈskeɪpˌɡreɪs) /

noun

an idle mischievous person

Word Origin for scapegrace

C19: from scape ² + grace, alluding to a person who lacks God's grace