adjective
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untidy; irregular
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uncontrolled; unruly
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law violating public peace or order
adverb
Other Word Forms
- disorderliness noun
- undisorderly adjective
Etymology
Origin of disorderly
Explanation
Something that's disorderly is chaotic and messy, or unruly and out of control. A disorderly classroom might be the result of the teacher leaving for several minutes to answer a phone call. It's one thing if your bedroom tends to be disorderly, with clothes and books scattered across the floor, but it's another thing to feel like your life itself is disorderly, confusing and unpredictable. Sometimes disorderly is used in a legal context to mean "destructive, or not law-abiding." You might be charged with disorderly conduct if you take part in a protest that's viewed by law enforcement as disorderly, or going against "law and and order."
Vocabulary lists containing disorderly
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.
In a research note sent late Thursday, the firm agrees that action in some parts of the market has become disorderly of late, a sign that some traders are being forced to exit positions.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 20, 2026
Mr. Tillis said the disorderly approach, including in Minneapolis, is “beginning to get the American people to think that deporting people is wrong.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026
Then the police arrived, officers responding to 911 calls about a disorderly crowd.
From Slate • Feb. 28, 2026
It also brings them in line with race and religion, which already have defined charges, such as racially-aggravated disorderly behaviour.
From BBC • Feb. 16, 2026
The reckless water, the frenzied wind, the snow, the downed trees, the boats dashed against their sunken docks—it was harsh and beautiful and disorderly.
From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson
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.
