Jackanapes
/ˈdʒækəneɪps/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The term 'jackanapes' is not commonly used nowadays and may sound outdated or comical.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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