noun Common

rogue

ROHG

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Rogue (noun) means a dishonest or unprincipled person; a scoundrel. Example: “The old con man was a lovable rogue who never quite went straight.”

noun

A dishonest or unprincipled person; a scoundrel.

"The old con man was a lovable rogue who never quite went straight."

"She warned her daughter about the charming rogue at the bar."

adj

Acting outside normal or expected controls, often in a dangerous or unpredictable way.

"A rogue wave capsized the small fishing boat."

"The company blamed the leak on a rogue employee."

How to use rogue

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither a dishonest character, or something (a wave, a state, a program) that has broken loose from normal control and become unpredictable or dangerous.

Common mistake

In gaming, "rogue" also names a stealth-focused character class — a specialized sense distinct from the everyday meaning of scoundrel.

Common pairings

rogue state rogue wave rogue trader go rogue

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: rogues
Third person singular: rogues
Past tense: rogued
Comparative: more rogue
Superlative: most rogue

Test yourself on “rogue” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The old con man was a lovable _____ who never quite went straight.

Etymology

Origin disputed — possibly from an older English word for a wandering beggar who posed as a poor scholar, itself perhaps from Latin rogare ("to ask, beg"); or from a French word meaning "arrogant, haughty".

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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scoundrel rascal scamp knave renegade maverick scalawag rapscallion scallywag varlet

Related words

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Rhymes for rogue

rue due sue cue hue blue true flue clue glue imbue pique

See all rhymes for rogue →

Frequently asked questions

What does “rogue” mean?

The word “rogue” means a dishonest or unprincipled person; a scoundrel. In plain terms, either a dishonest character, or something (a wave, a state, a program) that has broken loose from normal control and become unpredictable or dangerous.

How do you pronounce “rogue”?

“Rogue” is pronounced ROHG (/ˈɹoʊ̯ɡ/ in IPA).

How do you use “rogue” in a sentence?

Here is “rogue” used in a sentence: “The old con man was a lovable rogue who never quite went straight.”

What part of speech is “rogue”?

Depending on how it is used, “rogue” can be a noun and an adjective.

Where does the word “rogue” come from?

The word “rogue” comes from Latin. Origin disputed — possibly from an older English word for a wandering beggar who posed as a poor scholar, itself perhaps from Latin rogare ("to ask, beg"); or from a French word meaning "arrogant, haughty".

Is “rogue” a common word?

“Rogue” is a fairly common word in modern English.

How many meanings does “rogue” have?

“Rogue” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a dishonest or unprincipled person; a scoundrel.

What is the difference between a 'rogue' and a 'villain'?

A 'rogue' is a dishonest or mischievous person, and the word can be almost affectionate, suggesting a charming scoundrel. A 'villain' is more strongly negative, implying real cruelty or evil rather than roguish trickery.

What nouns commonly follow 'rogue' as an adjective?

Common pairings include 'rogue state,' 'rogue agent,' 'rogue trader,' and 'rogue wave.' In each, 'rogue' signals something operating dangerously outside normal control or expectation.

Is 'rogue' always an insult?

Not always. Used of a person it can be light-hearted or even fond, as in calling a cheeky child a 'little rogue.' In its adjective sense, however, 'rogue' usually warns of something unpredictable or dangerous.

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