rumpus

[ ruhm-puhs ]

/ ˈrʌm pəs /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for rumpus on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural rum·pus·es.

a noisy or violent disturbance; commotion; uproar: There was a terrible rumpus going on upstairs.

a heated controversy: a rumpus over the school-bond issue.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

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

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

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of rumpus

First recorded in 1755–65; origin uncertain

Words nearby rumpus

rumpf, rumple, rumply, rumpo, Rump Parliament, rumpus, rumpus room, rumpy-pumpy, Rum Rebellion, rumrunner, Rumsey

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

How to use rumpus in a sentence

Novelist Stephen Elliot launched his club two years ago through The Rumpus, the online culture magazine that he founded.
How Book Clubs Went Indie: The Success of Emily Books, The Nervous Breakdown & More|Maura Kelly|September 13, 2012|DAILY BEAST
And despite what he said about his legacy, his wild rumpus will never end.
Maurice Sendak Is Remembered Fondly by Author and Filmmaker William Joyce|William Joyce|May 9, 2012|DAILY BEAST
His work has also appeared at The Rumpus, The Millions, and The Washington Independent Review of Books.
Must Read Novels|Lucy Scholes, John Wilwol, Randy Rosenthal, Nina MacLaughlin|August 4, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Both sides behaved themselves almost as grownups, when it would have been easier to descend into a school yard rumpus.
Real Progress With Iran|Gary Sick|October 2, 2009|DAILY BEAST

He came to the top of the stairs with a lamp in his hand, and wanted to know what the rumpus was about.
The Bondboy|George W. (George Washington) Ogden
We knew that all he wanted was to get out on deck, and then there would be the tallest kind of a rumpus.
Motor Matt's "Century" Run|Stanley R. Matthews
I was prepared to carry her off if she refused, but I was ill prepared for the rumpus that this quiet-looking woman kicked up.
A Little Union Scout|Joel Chandler Harris
I suppose now that papa is having a rumpus with Mr. Thatcher I shall never see him any more.
A Hoosier Chronicle|Meredith Nicholson
They found out we were seeing each other secretly, and they made a rumpus about it.
Frank Merriwell's Bravery|Burt L. Standish

British Dictionary definitions for rumpus

rumpus

/ (ˈrʌmpəs) /

noun plural -puses

a noisy, confused, or disruptive commotion

Word Origin for rumpus

C18: of unknown origin

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

rumpus

Origin of rumpus

Words nearby rumpus

Words related to rumpus

How to use rumpus in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for rumpus

Word Origin for rumpus