boisterous

[ boi-ster-uhs, -struhs ]

adjective

1. rough and noisy; noisily jolly or rowdy; clamorous; unrestrained:

   the sound of boisterous laughter.

   Synonyms: wild, violent, turbulent, tumultuous, tempestuous, impetuous, vociferous, loud, obstreperous, uproarious

   Antonyms: serene, calm

2. (of waves, weather, wind, etc.) rough and stormy.

   Synonyms: wild, violent, turbulent, tumultuous, tempestuous

   Antonyms: serene, calm

3. Obsolete. rough and massive.

boisterous

/ -strəs; ˈbɔɪstərəs /

adjective

1. noisy and lively; unrestrained or unruly
2. (of the wind, sea, etc) turbulent or stormy

Derived Forms

• ˈboisterousness, noun
• ˈboisterously, adverb

Other Words From

• boister·ous·ly adverb
• boister·ous·ness noun
• un·boister·ous adjective
• un·boister·ous·ly adverb
• un·boister·ous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of boisterous¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English boistrous, variant of Middle English boistous “crude, fierce, gross, strong”; of obscure origin; possibly from Old French boisteus “lame,” from boist(e) “box,” also “cavity containing an organ, cavity in a bone” (ultimately from Late Latin buxis; box ¹( def ) ) + -eus -eous ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of boisterous¹

C13 boistuous , of unknown origin

Example Sentences

That fearlessness is evident in Washington’s performance too — charming, boisterous and musical, but in the character’s bookend moments, serene and almost childlike.

From Los Angeles Times

The brash, confident, boisterous traits his "notorious" brand is now synonymous with were untraceable.

From BBC

A hush fell over the boisterous crowd - including dozens of journalists - as officials drew tickets from a manila envelope.

From BBC

Backed by a boisterous crowd, the 17-year-old was fancied to get the better of Humphries, who had not looked at quite his brilliant best during the tournament in Somerset but stepped up a level in the final.

From BBC

“We wanted a buzzy atmosphere that represented that kind of vibrant, boisterous nature.”

From New York Times

Related Words

• clamorous
• loud
• rambunctious
• raucous
• riotous
• rollicking
• rowdy
• strident
• unruly
• uproarious
• vociferous