rowdy

[rou-dee]

noun

plural

rowdies 

1. a rough, disorderly person.

adjective

rowdier, rowdiest 

1. rough and disorderly.

   rowdy behavior at school.

2. Slang.,  great; very enjoyable, often with boisterous fun.

   a rowdy time at the arcade with my best friends.

   Synonyms: obstreperous, unruly, boisterous

rowdy

/ ˈraʊdɪ /

adjective

1. tending to create noisy disturbances; rough, loud, or disorderly

   a rowdy gang of football supporters

noun

1. a person who behaves in a rough disorderly fashion

Other Word Forms

• rowdily adverb
• rowdiness noun
• unrowdy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rowdy¹

An Americanism dating back to 1810–20; perhaps from row ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of rowdy¹

C19: originally US slang, perhaps related to _row ³

Example Sentences

From our experience, the improved buds can block the sound of rowdy restaurants, rumbling buses—and attention-seeking spouses and children.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But there was far less focus on the even rowdier world of “dating” shows aimed at young men.

Read more on Salon

A rowdy group insulted foreign guests at the museum ahead of the opening - forcing them to be hurried away under police escort.

Read more on BBC

The Lakers, who had credited their connection and chemistry for carrying them through long stints without their stars, suddenly fell silent when faced with a large deficit in front of a rowdy crowd.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Amélie’s rowdy approach becomes more nuanced when she is confronted with a loved one’s death, as well as her own mortality in the aftermath of two accidents.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• disorderly 
• loud 
• rambunctious 
• raucous 
• rebellious 
• rude 
• turbulent 
• unruly 
• uproarious