wharf rat
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
A neglected boy who lives around the wharfs.
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
A man who hangs around a wharf in the hope of finding temporary work there.
Register: slang
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “wharf rat” mean?
A neglected boy who lives around the wharfs.
Is “wharf rat” formal or informal?
wharf rat is generally slang.