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

Other Word Forms

• boisterously adverb
• boisterousness noun
• unboisterous adjective
• unboisterously adverb
• unboisterousness 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

“We expect a great, boisterous crowd. We have one of our aces on the mound. So the way we’re playing, we want to put these guys away and don’t let them up for air.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

McIlroy went 3-1-1 during the event while enduring boisterous jeers and insults from members of the crowd who were doing their best to disrupt him while he lined up to swing or putt.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A desire to quieten the notoriously boisterous New York fans was one reason.

Read more on BBC

A quick start is also vital because it could determine whether New York's notoriously boisterous fans turn Bethpage into a "bear pit" from the playground it has been so far.

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But another female fan, who arrived on Thursday dressed as the Statue of Liberty, added: "I wouldn't be afraid because New Yorkers, as much as we are rowdy and boisterous, we are respectful."

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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