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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Martin Eden
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Call Us What We Carry
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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 charged with and later cleared of affray.
From BBC • Dec. 24, 2025
Theo, now 19, told the BBC he didn't know what affray was and had asked the handling officer.
From BBC • Dec. 18, 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.
