fracas

[frey-kuhs, frak-uhs, frak-ah]

noun

1. a noisy, disorderly disturbance or fight; riotous brawl; uproar.

fracas

/ ˈfrækɑː /

noun

1. a noisy quarrel; brawl

Word History and Origins

Origin of fracas¹

First recorded in 1720–30; < French, from Italian fracasso, derivative of fracassare “to smash,” equivalent to fra- “completely” (from Latin infrā “among”) + cassare “to break”; cassation

Word History and Origins

Origin of fracas¹

C18: from French, from fracasser to shatter, from Latin frangere to break, influenced by quassāre to shatter

Example Sentences

The fracas over the 29-year-old singer’s audio clip marks the second time in as many weeks that a major artist has taken flak from prominent conservatives over his perceived views of ICE.

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He told the BBC that the US's immigration policy shifts in recent months had led to a sharp spike in enquiries from people looking to relocate, and the H-1B fracas could accelerate this trend.

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Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 20, was charged with assaulting the Greater Manchester Police officers during the fracas on 23 July last year, with a video of the incident being widely shared on social media.

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A police officer involved in a fracas at Manchester Airport was an "uncontrolled bully with a badge", a jury has heard.

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Jurors have been urged by prosecutors to "not be distracted" by the kick and stamp of a police officer during a fracas at Manchester Airport.

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Related Words

• altercation 
• bickering 
• brawl 
• brouhaha 
• feud 
• flap 
• fray 
• free-for-all 
• melee 
• quarrel 
• riot 
• scuffle 
• squabble 
• tumult 
• uproar