Definition and pronunciation
rake — noun: a man known for reckless pleasure-seeking, especially sexual excess and heavy drinking; a stock character in older literature and drama.
Pronunciation: /reɪk/.
Related: rakehell (older noun), rakish (adjective), rakishly (adverb), rakishness (noun).
Easy explanation
A rake is a charming but irresponsible man who chases pleasure, often many lovers, and ignores duties. The word is old-fashioned but still used in books, reviews, and playful descriptions.
Part of speech and grammar
- Noun (countable): a rake; rakes.
- Adjective family: rakish = stylishly disreputable, fast-living.
- Historical compound: rakehell (stronger, now rare).
- Note: English also has other words rake (garden tool) and rake (slope/tilt). Context tells which meaning you want.
Register and tone
Literary, historical, and sometimes humorous. It can be admiring (charm, wit) or critical (selfish, exploitative). Modern usage often signals a period vibe or a critique of double standards.
Connection to sexuality
Yes. The classic rake pursues frequent, casual liaisons and boasts about conquests. Contemporary writers use the term to discuss promiscuity, power imbalance, or the “reformed rake” romance trope.
Common collocations
Restoration rake; infamous rake; charming rake; rake and roué; rake’s progress; rakish grin; rakish elegance; rakehell aristocrat; rake as a stock character.
Idioms and set phrases
- a rake’s progress — a downward spiral of waste and vice (from Hogarth’s prints; now a general phrase).
- reformed rake — a trope where a notorious pleasure-seeker settles into commitment.
- rakish angle/grin — stylishly off-kilter look; cheeky, roguish smile (metaphoric extension from the character type).
Prepositions and nuance
- rake of [an era/place] — historical labeling: “a rake of the Restoration court.”
- rake in/rake up/rake over — verb phrases unrelated to the person-noun (collect money; dredge up the past; keep revisiting). Avoid mixing these with the character sense.
- rakish in [manner/dress] — narrows the quality to style rather than morals.
Word comparisons
- rake vs libertine — close; libertine stresses rejection of moral restraints and may be broader than sex.
- rake vs womanizer/philanderer — chase of many partners; less literary.
- rake vs playboy — modern, glossy image; often wealth and parties.
- rake vs hedonist — hedonist seeks pleasure in general (food, art, rest), not necessarily sexual excess.
- rakish vs rakelike — rakish = roguishly stylish; rakelike describes the tool/silhouette, not character.
Real-life examples
- Critics called the duke a modern rake, contrasting nightclub photos with his charity work.
- A romance novel features a notorious rake who gradually learns accountability.
- A theater review praised the actor’s “rakish charm” without endorsing the character’s choices.
- A historian described court politics shaped by rakes who traded favors and affairs.
Sample sentences
- The film revels in the hero’s reputation as a rake but shows the harm he causes.
- She fell for his rakish grin, then demanded better behavior.
- In interviews he plays the rake, yet colleagues describe a disciplined professional.
- The biography charts a rake’s progress from inheritance to scandal.
- The script flips the trope: the supposed rake sets boundaries and refuses to exploit fans.
Synonyms
libertine, roué, debauchee, womanizer, philanderer, rakehell, profligate, Lothario, Don Juan, cad, playboy, boulevardier
Antonyms
ascetic, puritan, prude, monogamist, faithful spouse, moralist, abstemious person, straight-arrow
Related terms
rakish, rakehell, libertinism, debauchery, profligacy, hedonist, voluptuary, bohemian, Restoration comedy, seducer, gallant, reformed rake trope
Notes and etiquette
Because rake can glamorize harmful behavior, be clear whether you’re critiquing or celebrating the image. Use neutral labels (e.g., “had multiple partners,” “was unfaithful”) when accuracy matters, and center consent and respect rather than swagger.
Sexopedia.co is an educational glossary of sexual and gender-related terms—helping you improve your English while deepening your understanding of identity, language, and self-expression.