Jackanapes
noun
A person who is silly, showing off or disrespectful.
He was irritated by the jackanapes who kept interrupting his conversation with silly questions.
Often appears as...
- behave like a jackanapes
- act like a jackanapes
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
A person who is silly, showing off or disrespectful.
He was irritated by the jackanapes who kept interrupting his conversation with silly questions.
Often appears as...
- behave like a jackanapes
- act like a jackanapes
Usage tips
Disapproving
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Old-Fashioned Usage
The term 'jackanapes' is not commonly used nowadays and may sound outdated or comical.
When he called him a jackanapes, the crowd giggled at the old-fashioned term.
Pro Tip 2/3Pejorative Tone
'Jackanapes' has negative implications, suggesting annoying or impudent behavior.
Don't be such a jackanapes, or people will start avoiding you.
Pro Tip 3/3Literary Context
The word can be seen in classic literature and helps in understanding characters' attitudes.
In the novel, Sir Arthur called the mischievous boy a jackanapes.
Compare with
impjesterpranksterrascalroguescamptrickster
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Quote examples
Jonathan Raban
British Author
Critics? Don't talk to me of critics! You think some jackanapes journalist, his soul eaten away by the maggots of jealousy and failure, has anything worthwhile to say of art? I don't.
Quote examples
Jonathan Raban
British Author
Critics? Don't talk to me of critics! You think some jackanapes journalist, his soul eaten away by the maggots of jealousy and failure, has anything worthwhile to say of art? I don't.
Example 1 of 1
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