disorderly

[dis-awr-der-lee]

adjective

1. characterized by disorder; irregular; untidy; confused.

   a disorderly desk.

2. unruly; turbulent; tumultuous.

   a disorderly mob.

3. Law.,  contrary to public order or morality.

adverb

1. in a disorderly manner.

disorderly

/ dɪsˈɔːdəlɪ /

adjective

1. untidy; irregular

2. uncontrolled; unruly

3. law violating public peace or order

adverb

1. in an irregular or confused manner

Other Word Forms

• disorderliness noun
• undisorderly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of disorderly¹

First recorded in 1555–65; dis- ¹ + orderly

Example Sentences

Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesperson Max Wilkinson said it was "right the government looks at new ways to fix the disorderly asylum system created by the Conservatives".

Read more on BBC

Parrish told ProPublica she had collected evidence that “shows ongoing and persistent activity” outside the facility that under statute and police directive “would be considered riotous, unlawful assembly and/or disorderly conduct.”

Read more on Salon

She told parliament that "the government is watching for any excessive and disorderly moves with a high sense of urgency".

Read more on Barron's

If they don’t, the risk of a disorderly crisis grows, and so does the potential long-term damage.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

These were fears of a disorderly increase in U.S. government bond yields, the prospect of a trade war between the world’s two military and economic superpowers, and the Fed tightening monetary policy.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

• disruptive 
• fractious 
• raucous 
• rebellious 
• rowdy 
• unruly