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Definition of shenanigans

shenanigans

/ʃəˈnæn.ɪ.ɡənz/
she · nan · i · gans
Plural:shenanigans
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shenanigans Lexical Profile

shenanigans Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

High-spirited, mischievous, or playful behavior and pranks.

Example

"The camp counselors had little patience for the late-night shenanigans of the teenagers."

2

Secretive, dishonest, or underhanded activity and trickery.

Example

"An independent audit exposed financial shenanigans within the company's accounting department."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

Although the singular form 'shenanigan' exists, the word is overwhelmingly used in the plural as 'shenanigans' to refer collectively to mischievous antics or underhanded dealings.

• Nearby Words

shelving
shenandoah
shenanigan
shenanigans
shenzhen
shepherd
shepherd pie

Word Origin & Etymology

First recorded in California during the mid-19th-century Gold Rush era, its exact origin is uncertain, though lexicographers often link it to the Irish phrase 'sionnachuighim', meaning 'I play the fox' or play tricks.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Shenanigans. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/shenanigans
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