brawl

[brawl]

noun

1. an angry, rough, noisy fight, especially one engaged in under the influence of alcohol.

   The wild, free-for-all western brawl in the saloon lasts two full minutes and constitutes the movie’s opening scene.

   Synonyms: tumult, wrangle, rumpus, row, altercation, affray

2. Slang.,  a large, noisy party.

3. Obsolete.,  a bubbling or roaring noise; a clamor.

verb (used without object)

1. to engage in angry, rough, noisy fighting, especially while under the influence of alcohol.

   He found that his hero was little more than a drunken, brawling tramp.

   Synonyms: row, bicker, fight, squabble

2. to make a bubbling or roaring noise, as water flowing over a rocky bed.

brawl

¹

/ brɔːl /

noun

1. a loud disagreement or fight

2. slang,  an uproarious party

verb

1. to quarrel or fight noisily; squabble

2. (esp of water) to flow noisily

brawl

²

/ brɔːl /

noun

1. a dance: the English version of the branle

Other Word Forms

• brawling noun
• brawler noun
• brawly adjective
• outbrawl verb (used with object)
• unbrawling adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of brawl¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; (verb) Middle English brawlen, brallen “to raise a clamor, quarrel, boast”; of uncertain origin; (noun) Middle English braule, brall, derivative of the verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of brawl¹

C14: probably related to Dutch brallen to boast, behave aggressively

Synonym Study

See disorder.

Example Sentences

Even the slightest touch from a resident was construed as an “attack” that was then used to justify street brawls under the ludicrous pretense of self-defense.

Read more on Salon

The political brawl erupted last month after a much-publicized espionage case collapsed on a legal technicality.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Raf calls Jacob, who has been separated from the gang and is chatting up a girl in a pub, and urges him to come join a brawl that threatens.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Indeed, if Wednesday’s wipe-out win at rollicking Dodger Stadium was any indication, the Dodgers seemed prime for this upcoming brawl, their strongest October fists bared and ready.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A woman who was stabbed during a brawl in West Hollywood early Sunday morning is in critical condition, authorities said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• altercation 
• argument 
• battle 
• bickering 
• clash 
• dispute 
• feud 
• fight 
• fracas 
• free-for-all 
• melee 
• quarrel 
• riot 
• ruckus 
• scuffle 
• squabble 
• uproar 
• wrangle 

When To Use

What does brawl mean?

A brawl is a fight, especially a big one involving a lot of people.Brawl can also be used as a verb meaning to fight or to participate in a brawl. A person who does this or who’s known for fighting in general can be called a brawler.Much less commonly, brawl can also be used as a slang term for a wild party.Other rare senses of brawl include its use as a noun referring to a loud, bubbling noise, like water flowing in a stream, or as a verb meaning to make such a noise.Example: Police are investigating the post-concert brawl that left three people in the hospital.