Roguishly

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. In a way that shows a playful sense of mischief or cheekiness
2. With a charmingly naughty or teasing attitude that suggests trickery
3. Expressing a sly or impish behavior often intended to amuse or provoke

Etymology: "Roguishly" is a plain built-up word: the adjective "roguish" with the adverb ending "-ly" added. Its base, "rogue," is the older word, and the adjective "roguish" grows from it by way of the suffix "-ish," which means "having the character of" or "somewhat like." So the full chain is rogue, then roguish, then roguishly, each step adding one layer of meaning. The suffix "-ish" has a long history of its own. It descends from a Proto-Germanic form and passed through Old English and Middle English before settling into the sense it has now. The ending "-ly" follows a similar path: it traces back to a word meaning "body" or "form," which over the centuries wore down into a marker of manner. Put together, "roguishly" describes an action done in the manner of a rogue, which in modern use means with a light, teasing, slightly naughty charm rather than with real wickedness.

Synonyms: mischievously, playfully, slyly, INVALID, INVALID