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blackguard

/ˈblækgɑrd/
IPA guide

Other forms: blackguards; blackguarding; blackguarded

In movies, TV shows, and other forms of entertainment, there are often good guys and bad guys. A blackguard is a bad guy. Blackguards are up to no good.

Originally, a blackguard was a type of servant dressed in black, but the meaning evolved to mean a person who is villainous at heart. This is definitely an old-fashioned word you're most likely to see in an older story or play. A blackguard likely won't be guarding anything, but they probably will be doing something evil.

Definitions of blackguard
  1. noun
    someone who is morally reprehensible
    synonyms: bounder, cad, dog, heel, hound
    see moresee less
    types:
    perisher
    bounder
    type of:
    scoundrel, villain
    a wicked or evil person; someone who does evil deliberately
  2. verb
    use foul or abusive language towards
    synonyms: abuse, clapperclaw, shout
    see moresee less
    types:
    slang
    abuse with coarse language
    rail, revile, vilify, vituperate
    spread negative information about
    curse
    heap obscenities upon
    type of:
    assail, assault, attack, lash out, round, snipe
    attack in speech or writing
  3. verb
    subject to laughter or ridicule
    see moresee less
    types:
    tease
    mock or make fun of playfully
    lampoon, satirise, satirize
    ridicule with satire
    debunk, expose
    expose while ridiculing; especially of pretentious or false claims and ideas
    stultify
    cause to appear foolish
    uncloak, unmask
    reveal the true nature of
    type of:
    bemock, mock
    treat with contempt
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘blackguard'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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