affray
Americannoun
-
a public fight; a noisy quarrel; brawl.
- Synonyms:
- melee, altercation, fracas, row
-
Law. the fighting of two or more persons in a public place.
verb (used with object)
noun
verb
Etymology
Origin of affray
1275–1325; Middle English < Anglo-French afray (noun), afrayer (v.), Old French esfrei (noun), esfreer (v.) < Vulgar Latin *exfridāre to break the peace, equivalent to ex- ex- 1 + -frid- peace (< Germanic; compare German Friede ) + -āre infinitive suffix
Explanation
Affray is a somewhat old-fashioned word for an assault or public disturbance. A sports fan disappointed in their favorite team's loss might start an affray in the street after the game. This dated legal term isn't used much in the U.S. these days. Imagine soccer fans rioting in the streets after a game, or a rowdy bar fight involving many people. If these events are frightening to onlookers, they're considered an affray. In Britain, you can be charged with affray if you participate in this kind of group violence. Affray, via the Old French affrai, "disturbance," comes from a Latin root meaning "to take out of peace."
Vocabulary lists containing affray
Tolkien Reading Day, List 5
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Martin Eden
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Call Us What We Carry
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan said police had made 12 arrests, "including for showing support for a proscribed organisation, affray and for threatening or abusive behaviour".
From Barron's • Mar. 15, 2026
Stokes was subsequently charged with and cleared of affray but he missed the 2017-18 Ashes tour as a result of the incident.
From BBC • Jan. 21, 2026
Essex Police said a man had been arrested on suspicion of affray at the protest.
From BBC • Jul. 17, 2025
A spokesperson for the force added that a man had been arrested on suspicion of affray and was in police custody.
From BBC • May 3, 2025
The affray was sharp, but the orcs were dismayed by the fierceness of the defence.
From "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
