adj
dastardly
DAHS-tuhd-lee
Dastardly (adj) means Cowardly and treacherous, especially in a sneaky or underhanded way. Example: “The villain hatched a dastardly plot to sabotage the race.”
adj
1
Cowardly and treacherous, especially in a sneaky or underhanded way.
"The villain hatched a dastardly plot to sabotage the race."
"It was a dastardly betrayal of his closest friend."
How to use dastardly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes a plan or act that is both cowardly and sly — the classic word for a cartoon villain's scheme.
When to use it
Slightly old-fashioned and often used with a hint of humour, especially describing melodramatic villains.
Common pairings
dastardly plot
dastardly deed
dastardly villain
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Word forms
- Comparative
- dastardlier
- Superlative
- dastardliest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The villain hatched a _____ plot to sabotage the race.
Etymology
From dastard ("a cowardly, sneaky person") plus the adjective suffix -ly.
Synonyms
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dastard
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for dastardly
See all rhymes for dastardly →Frequently asked questions
What does “dastardly” mean?
The word “dastardly” means cowardly and treacherous, especially in a sneaky or underhanded way. In plain terms, describes a plan or act that is both cowardly and sly — the classic word for a cartoon villain's scheme.
How do you pronounce “dastardly”?
“Dastardly” is pronounced DAHS-tuhd-lee (/ˈdæstɚdli/ in IPA).
How do you use “dastardly” in a sentence?
Here is “dastardly” used in a sentence: “The villain hatched a dastardly plot to sabotage the race.”
What part of speech is “dastardly”?
“Dastardly” is an adjective.
