Rowdy
'raʊdi
Definitions
Unruly and disorderly, often involving loud and boisterous behavior.
'raʊdi
Characterized by boisterous or unruly behavior.
The students became rowdy during the pep rally.
💡 Simply: Imagine a group of friends who are being super loud and causing a little bit of a ruckus. They're not breaking the law, but they're definitely not being quiet! It's the feeling you get when you see someone acting up at a concert or a sporting event.
👶 For kids: When kids are being loud and not following the rules, they are being rowdy.
More Examples
The crowd grew rowdy after the game-winning goal was scored.
Security guards had to break up a rowdy fight in the bar.
The rowdy children were asked to quiet down during the movie.
How It's Used
"The party got rowdy as the night wore on."
"The fans were rowdy after their team won."
Idioms & expressions
rowdy crowd
A group of people behaving in a noisy and disorderly manner.
"The concert was amazing, but the rowdy crowd made it hard to see the stage."
rowdy behavior
Behavior that is noisy and disruptive.
"The police were called to address the rowdy behavior at the party."
Originating in late 19th-century America, likely from 'row' meaning a disturbance or uproar. The suffix '-y' is added to form an adjective.
The word 'rowdy' gained popularity in the late 19th century in American English to describe the boisterous behavior of crowds and individuals.
Memory tip
Think of a noisy crowd acting up.