boisterous
[ boi-ster-uhs, -struhs ]
adjective
rough and noisy; noisily jolly or rowdy; clamorous; unrestrained: the sound of boisterous laughter.
(of waves, weather, wind, etc.) rough and stormy.
Obsolete. rough and massive.
Origin of boisterous
1First 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; see box1 ) + -eus -eous
Other words for boisterous
1 | uproarious, obstreperous, roistering, loud, vociferous, impetuous |
1, 2 | tempestuous, tumultuous, turbulent, violent, wild |
Opposites for boisterous
Other words from boisterous
- bois·ter·ous·ly, adverb
- bois·ter·ous·ness, noun
- un·bois·ter·ous, adjective
- un·bois·ter·ous·ly, adverb
- un·bois·ter·ous·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for boisterous
boisterous
/ (ˈbɔɪstərəs, -strəs) /
adjective
noisy and lively; unrestrained or unruly
(of the wind, sea, etc) turbulent or stormy
Origin of boisterous
1C13 boistuous, of unknown origin
Derived forms of boisterous
- boisterously, adverb
- boisterousness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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