Commotion

/kəˈmoʊʃən/

nounBeginnerCommonGeneral

Definitions

1

A noisy disturbance or excited movement.

/kəˈmoʊʃən/

nounnegativeBeginner
General

A state of noisy disturbance or confusion.

The commotion in the street prevented me from sleeping.

💡 Simply: Imagine a busy playground with kids running and shouting – that's commotion! It's a noisy mix-up of activity.

👶 For kids: A lot of loud noise and people moving around.

More Examples

2

The announcement caused quite a commotion.

How It's Used

News Reporting

"There was a great commotion outside the courthouse as the verdict was read."

Everyday Life

"The sudden commotion in the classroom startled the teacher."

From Middle French *commotion, from Latin commotio, from commovēre "to move violently, disturb," from com- "together" + movēre "to move."

The word has been used to describe public disturbances since the 16th century.

Memory tip

Think 'com' (together) + 'motion' (movement) - lots of people moving together noisily.

comotioncommoshioncommosion

Usage

20%Spoken
80%Written