roister

[roi-ster]

verb (used without object)

1. to act in a swaggering, boisterous, or uproarious manner.

2. to revel noisily or without restraint.

roister

/ ˈrɔɪstə /

verb

1. to engage in noisy merrymaking; revel

2. to brag, bluster, or swagger

Other Word Forms

• roisterer noun
• roisterous adjective
• roisterously adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of roister¹

First recorded in 1545–55; verb use of roister (noun), from Middle French ru(i)stre “ruffian, boor,” variant of ru(i)ste “rural” ( rustic )

Word History and Origins

Origin of roister¹

C16: from Old French rustre lout, from ruste uncouth, from Latin rusticus rural; see _rustic

Example Sentences

After that roistering swagger, the poem unexpectedly closes with the conjunction of the wistful and worldly:

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Meanwhile, Queen Victoria’s son, the future Edward VII, devoted his energies to gambling, overeating, pursuing women and roistering with unsavory companions.

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Both movies lavish attention on waterfront dives, roistering sailors and back-alley hôtels de passe.

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At last only two of that roistering, impudent band were left, the priest of the suitors and their bard.

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“The Masque of the Red Death” was Corman’s audacious attempt to make an art film for the drive-in crowd — a feast of roistering revelry with intimations of Buñuel, Fellini and Bergman.

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