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
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.
But on Monday, he pleaded no contest to only the former charge and a new misdemeanor — disorderly conduct.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2026
The 46-year-old, who is also the owner of the San Francisco 49ers, was convicted of disorderly conduct and possessing criminal tools after pleading no contest to two charges.
From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026
York, 45, pleaded no contest to charges of disorderly conduct and possessing criminal tools, Columbiana County Municipal Court records show.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 24, 2026
The Boston College biology student said he wasn’t even present at the party that resulted in noise complaints and disorderly house charges against him and a dozen others.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 23, 2026
To right and left, jostling into frame, are disorderly ranks of trees, which immediately vanish into consuming darkness.
From "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson
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.
