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

He said Harry had been a normal "boisterous and exuberant" 16-year-old who was "full of charm".

Read more on BBC

Newsom possessed the air of a politician running for president at the boisterous rally, a possibility the California governor says he is considering — and the location he chose was not happenstance.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It was a show of defiance towards the boisterous Leeds crowd, and a symbol of the Kangaroos affirming their authority.

Read more on BBC

And, despite the boisterous nature of Russian announcements, their military value is ambiguous.

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After five heats, and some whisky tastings for the boisterous crowd, this year’s contest all came down to the six who made it through to the grand final.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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