fracas

[ frey-kuhs, frak-uhs; British frak-ah ]

/ ˈfreɪ kəs, ˈfræk əs; British ˈfræk ɑ /

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noun

a noisy, disorderly disturbance or fight; riotous brawl; uproar.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of fracas

First recorded in 1720–30; <French, from Italian fracasso, derivative of fracassare “to smash,” equivalent to fra- “completely” (from Latin infrā “among”) + cassare “to break”; see cassation

Words nearby fracas

fps units, FPT, Fr, Fra, frabjous, fracas, Fracastorius, fracking, FRACP, FRACS, fractable

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use fracas in a sentence

The resulting fracas might have been useful had she achieved what she set out to do — establish the fact of genetic unfairness and develop prescriptions to overcome it — yet she does not deliver on her second goal.
Can genetics help eliminate inequality?|Jerry Coyne|November 19, 2021|Washington Post
The fracas reportedly began when Rodriguez got out of a gray sedan by a nearby shopping center and confronted the younger girl, according to a student who witnessed the incident.
California Teen on Life Support After Being Shot by School Safety Officer While She Was Driving Away|Justin Rohrlich|September 30, 2021|The Daily Beast
For some parents the fracas has served as a reminder of the minefield that teenage girls face on social media and also been a jumping off point for conversations with their teens.
A feminine wash for teens? Angry parents and gynecologists are on a social media crusade.|Abigail Higgins|February 12, 2021|Washington Post
The fracas between Apple and Facebook, which owns Instagram, revolves around advertising data and how it is used on Apple devices.
On iPhones, Facebook and Apple begin a war of pop-up messages|Reed Albergotti|February 1, 2021|Washington Post

I think that’s what started the helmet punching extravaganza on the play prior to the fracas.
Are We Sold On The Steelers, Seahawks And Other Would-Be Super Bowl Contenders?|Sara Ziegler (sara.ziegler@fivethirtyeight.com)|November 2, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
Jonathan Franzen is in a fracas over his comments deploring our literary culture, Amazon, and social media.
In Defense of Jonathan Franzen|Michelle Goldberg|September 26, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Bennett is part of the rightwing bloc, which is not, as a whole, weakened by the fracas.
Why Israel's Center-left Won’t Block Bibi|Daniel Gavron|January 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Hart then segued into the Kristen Stewart fracas, joining Jodie Foster in the “get over it, people” camp.
Rihanna, One Direction, Frank Ocean & More: 7 Best Moments from 2012 VMAs (VIDEO)|Shannon Donnelly|September 7, 2012|DAILY BEAST
I would add only that this entire little fracas isn't about the alleged substance of the complaint against him.
In Defense of the Defense of Chris Hayes|Michael Tomasky|May 29, 2012|DAILY BEAST
This whole fracas happened simply because conservatives saw an opportunity to accuse liberals of being elitist.
Michael Tomasky on Ann Romney, an Unrepresentative Woman|Michael Tomasky|April 14, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Fortunately the police then arrived on the scene, and with great difficulty succeeded in putting a stop to the fracas.
The Gold Bat|P. G. Wodehouse
They had been watching the fracas, and understood it as little as we did.
Left on Labrador|Charles Asbury Stephens
He wanted no fracas, and he was still hanging doubtful, measuring the distance between them, when—away went his thoughts.
The Long Night|Stanley Weyman
A trifling affair in itself, this village fracas was to have a lasting effect upon the career of Thomas Borrow.
The Life of George Borrow|Herbert Jenkins
But that person must have been on the scene also, probably lurking in the shelter of the bungalow and watching the fracas.
The Dragon's Secret|Augusta Huiell Seaman

British Dictionary definitions for fracas

fracas

/ (ˈfrækɑː) /

noun

a noisy quarrel; brawl

Word Origin for fracas

C18: from French, from fracasser to shatter, from Latin frangere to break, influenced by quassāre to shatter

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

fracas

Origin of fracas

Words nearby fracas

Words related to fracas

How to use fracas in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for fracas

Word Origin for fracas