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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.

Instead, they were dealing with the more basic matter of whether Gamble had been disorderly, breached the peace, and/or resisted arrest.

From Slate • May 4, 2026

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

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026

Aside from the risk of venturing into the strait at a time of high tension, a disorderly departure from the Gulf also risks causing collisions or grounding, Meade said.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

He and three others were charged with disorderly conduct and obstruction.

From BBC • Mar. 9, 2026

The chamber, Taran saw, indeed seemed deserted, of inhabitants, at least, for the room was even more heaped up and disorderly than Dallben’s.

From "The Black Cauldron" by Lloyd Alexander

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.