Altercation
/ˌɔːltərˈkeɪʃən/
nounIntermediateCommonGeneral
Meaning
Questions
Definitions
1
A noisy or angry dispute.
/ˌɔːltərˈkeɪʃən/
nounnegativeIntermediate
General
A noisy argument or disagreement.
The altercation between the two drivers resulted in a traffic jam.
💡 Simply: A fight or argument.
More Examples
2
Witnesses reported a loud altercation near the park.
How It's Used
Everyday Life
"A heated altercation erupted in the street."
Legal
"The altercation led to charges of assault."
From Middle French altercacion, from alterquer 'to dispute', from Latin altercari 'to wrangle, contend'.
The word has been used in similar contexts for centuries, often describing conflicts and disagreements, particularly in public spaces.
Memory tip
Think 'alter' (change) and 'cation' (action) - a change of actions involving a noisy dispute.
Practice
Base: altercate
altercationaltercasionaltercation
Usage
20%Spoken
80%Written