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Synonyms

disorderly

American  
[dis-awr-der-lee] / dɪsˈɔr dər li /

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 British  
/ dɪsˈɔːdəlɪ /

adjective

  1. untidy; irregular

  2. uncontrolled; unruly

  3. law violating public peace or order

"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

adverb

  1. in an irregular or confused manner

"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

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of disorderly

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

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."

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Vocabulary lists containing disorderly

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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 Gespass had video proof that the prosecution’s argument about Gamble’s disorderly conduct was absurd.

From Slate • May 4, 2026

Lil Tjay was arrested on charges including disorderly conduct in Florida.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026

One of those was US rapper Lil TJay, real name Tione Jayden Merritt, who has been charged with disorderly conduct.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

Cipriani ultimately only pleaded guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

The bells were ringing again, high in the scudding sunlight in bright disorderly tatters of sound.

From "The Sound and the Fury" by William Faulkner

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.